US Patent 7409939 Cylinder head having an integrally cast rocker shaft pedestal

Use of rocker shaft pedestals that are manufactured separately from the cylinder head and subsequently fixed to the cylinder head increases manufacturing and assembly costs of an internal combustion engine. The disclosed cylinder head obviates these problems by providing a cylinder head for an internal combustion engine that comprises a top deck and at least one integrally cast rocker shaft pedestal. A rocker shaft for use with a cylinder head of the invention includes at least one flat formed on an underside of the shaft that is adapted for mating with a top of a rocker shaft pedestal. Also described is an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block, a cylinder head having a top deck and at least one integrally cast rocker shaft pedestal, and a rocker shaft mounted on the at least one rocker shaft pedestal, the rocker shaft having a plurality of rocker arms mounted thereon. The rocker shaft includes at least one flat formed on an underside thereof adapted for mating with a top of the at least one rocker shaft pedestal. Also described is a method for manufacturing a cylinder head assembly including an integrally cast rocker shaft pedestal.