Abstract: A cylinder head for supporting and lubricating hydraulic valve lifters comprises a head member having a deck face adapted for mating with an engine block. The head member has a bottom face which is approximately perpendicular to the deck face. A plurality of sockets are formed in the head member and are adapted to receive a hydraulic valve lifter. A one-way gallery is formed in the head member above the sockets. The one-way gallery is parallel to a horizontal plane of the engine block when the head member is mated therewith. The one-way gallery is adapted to communicate with the valve lifters. A one-way passage is formed in the head member. The one-way passage has a gallery end which communicates with the one-way gallery and a supply end which is above the gallery end. A supply passage is formed in the head member. The supply passage has one end which communicates with the supply end and another end which communicates with a block port in the mating face. The block port is below the one-way gallery.