Abstract: An engine for an outboard engine assembly includes a cylinder block with at least one horizontal cylinder defined therein, an oil pan disposed downwardly of the cylinder block, a cylinder head coupled to the cylinder block, and a head cover coupled to the cylinder head. The engine assembly also includes a valve operating mechanism chamber defined jointly between the cylinder head and the head cover, a lubricating oil supply passageway for supplying lubricating oil from the oil pan to at least the valve operating mechanism chamber, and a lubricating oil return passageway for returning lubricating oil from at least the valve operating mechanism chamber to the oil pan. The lubricating oil return passageway has openings for introducing lubricating oil from the valve operating mechanism chamber. The openings are defined in inner surfaces, respectively, of the cylinder head and the head cover which face a bottom of the valve operating mechanism chamber.