As far as "no excuse" for interference engines- sure it'd be nicer if parts smashing into each other was never a concern, but for how often the timing drive fails it's a chance the mfgs and myself are willing to take. Hmmm, been motoring and wrenching for how many decades now and have never had a cam drive fail... came close but yet not quite in an old Dynasty I picked up and decided to inspect the belt... it came apart when I pulled on it but while it was in the car it was working!
