Abstract: In an internal combustion engine there is provided a cylinder head; a plurality of cylinder head bolts for securing the cylinder head to a cylinder block; at least one engine cylinder; at least two intake valves and two exhaust valves controlling the flow of gases into and from the engine cylinder. A plane defined by the intake valves and a plane defined by the exhaust valves extend at an angle of between 0.degree. and 15.degree. to one another and have an inclined orientation to the longitudinal engine axis. An overhead camshaft extends parallel to the engine axis and is situated in a zone bounded by the cylinder head bolts. Respective valve bridges interconnect the intake valves with one another and the exhaust valves with one another, and rocker arms connect respective cams of the camshaft with the valve bridges, whereby the intake valves are simultaneously operated by one cam and the exhaust valves are simultaneously operated by another cam.