A liner assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a liner bore in an engine block which receives a cylinder liner having an end extension which is received in an annular cylinder head groove. The end extension of the cylinder liner includes a outer circumferential surface thereon which is formed to define a very small gap with the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder head groove; the inner circumferential surface of the upper end is radially spaced from the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder head groove to form an annular seal space for a radial seal that is captured between the upper end and the cylinder head to form an active combustion gas seal between the cylinder liner and the cylinder head. The end surfaces of the upper end of the cylinder liner are spaced axially from the cylinder head when the cylinder head is clamped to seal a head gasket between the cylinder head and the cylinder block of the engine and the cylinder head reacts the seal forces to prevent moments on the cylinder liner whereby the cylinder liner remains undistorted so as to reduce oil consumption and to improve ring and liner wear.
