The valves, when open, occupy the same space as the piston top does
when it is at the top of it's stroke. If the timing belt breaks some
of the valves will stop "open" as the crank continues to rotate thus
causing the valves to interfere with the pistons right of access to
the shared space. The result is usually a holed piston or two and a
bunch of bent valves.
On 13-Jan-06, at 4:08 PM, Automatic digest processor wrote:

> Subject: Re: NVC: Re: interference engines.....was Re: How much
> would this cost
>
> I guess I missed something.......
>
> I drive an 88 GL  with an interference engine..............!
>
> It's been interferred with and doesn't run worth a d*mn!
>
> Will someone please tell me just what an "interference engine"
> actually is??
>
> Thanks,
>