<snip>
The cyl. has a flat spot up near the head. This flat spot should be
facing the other cyl.  In other words they face each other. I can not
find any other reason for this flat edge.
<snip>

I've always thought these "Ears" were there to aid in prying the head off.
Inserting one of the jaws of an open end wrench between these tabs or ears
and the head usually works for me.  Placing them together between the
cylinders makes them easy to get to for this purpose.

Mike