Aluminum head?

[FJE]

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Hi, everyone!

I'm new to the site but have been following the Mahindra trucks since I first heard about them in late 2007. I am eagerly awaiting a chance to see the trucks, just like everyone else.

From what I have been reading on-line, it is my understanding that the Mahindra diesel engine that is going to be used in the US version of their pickups has an aluminum head. Can anyone confirm this either way?

It has been my experience that aluminum heads do not hold up well. There is to much expansion and contraction and eventually this results in a head gasket failure. This would be even worse on a diesel engine with the much higher compression.

Any thoughts on this?

[blue7.3]

Most of the European diesels use alloy heads and I'm pretty sure that at least VW uses an all alloy engine. The new Ford 6.7 uses alloy heads also (with 6 proper head bolts this time). I understand the differences in thermal expansion and all, but if the gasket is proper and properly secured, I don't believe there should be any issues. WRT compression ratios, they aren't as high for diesels as they used to be. 16-17:1 is about as high as it goes anymore (my '99 7.3 is 17.5:1). Gas engines top out about 11 these days depending.
She'll hold together...

cheers,
-pete