A friends 340 1.7 timing belt just broke while moving the car onto a transporter for banger race pruposes, is the engine likely to be damaged?

Yes, it is an interference engine. If it snapped when getting it up the ramp (Lots of revs maybe?) then it will be toast. There's nothing to give, due to the OHC design. Bent camshaft, snapped/bent valves, cracked piston, warped head... the lot. It might be ok with just a fresh head, and also give opportunity to put on a better head if you're lucky. The dynamics between steel valves and alloy pistons+OHC with hydraulic tappets though - not looking very hopeful.

It isn't hydraulic tappets, they are solid. I've not seen a 1.7 with a failed belt, but worth just lifting the cam cover, it's super easy on that engine and you'll see what issues there are.

Ride_on wrote:A friends 340 1.7 timing belt just broke while moving the car onto a transporter for banger race pruposes, is the engine likely to be damaged?

Is he still your friend if banger racing a 340?

Yes there have been some comments about destroying a good 340 saloon, but I checked it out and its good on the outside but some serious rust in the usual places. Still probably easier to restore than mine. He's really 200/700/900 abuser.

He gave the NI crew a choice of bits to a virtually bare shell.

Anyway 6 bent valves apparently, on original belt!

Hi all.
Have to agree with Ride_on. I also check it out and it was rotton
Cheers Mark.

my Renault-mechanic-Friend told me:

120000km or 4 years.

I changed it 4 weeks ago because I didn't know the history.