Also called interference engines, non-interference engine
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An engine whose open valves reach into the space the pistons move through, so a broken timing belt or chain can wreck it.
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Wikipedia says that in an interference engine, one or more open valves reach into the space the piston travels through. It lets designers raise the compression ratio as far as they can. In a non-interference engine the piston never reaches where the valves open.1
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Wikipedia says such engines risk major internal damage if a piston strikes a valve when the camshaft drive fails. The piston will likely bend the valves, and broken pieces can do more damage in the cylinder.
Sources 1
Shifterati