The Opel cam-in-head engine (CIH) is a family of automobile engines built by former General Motors subsidiary Opel from 1965 until 1998, appearing extensively in Opel/Vauxhall badged cars during this period. Both four- and six-cylinder inline configurations were produced. The name derives from the location of the camshaft, which was neither cam-in-block nor a true overhead camshaft. In the CIH engine the camshaft is located in the cylinder head but sits alongside the valves rather than above them, so therefore effectively is still an overhead valve design. The valves are actuated through very short tappets and rocker arms. The engine first appeared in the Opel Rekord B in 1965, and was largely replaced in four-cylinder form by the GM Family II unit as Opel/Vauxhall's core mid-size engine in the 1980s, with the six-cylinder versions continuing until 1994 in the Omega A and Senator B. A large capacity 2.4L four-cylinder version continued until 1998.
A 4-cylinder 1,979cc (20E) fuel injected CIH engine in a 1984 Vauxhall Carlton (Opel Rekord E)
1.9L Opel CIH - front cross-section
1.9L Opel CIH - side cross-section
A 19S engine in a 1970 Opel GT
An overhead valve (OHV) engine, sometimes called a pushrod engine, is a piston engine whose valves are located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with flathead engines, where the valves were located below the combustion chamber in the engine block.
1894 prototype overhead valve Diesel engine
1904 patent for Buick overhead valve engine
V8 engine (with intake manifold removed), showing the camshaft, pushrods, and rockers