Compound Sealing Mechanism, Cylinder Liner, And Engine Assembly Method

A cylinder liner and compound seal assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder liner having a liner body with an outer surface and an inner surface defining a longitudinal bore. The cylinder liner further includes a first axial end, and a second axial end which includes a sealing surface and a protective end projection extending in an axial direction from the sealing surface. A compound sealing mechanism for establishing seals between an engine head and an engine housing includes a one-piece gasket body having an outer radial region and an inner radial region which includes a combustion seal having an engine head sealing surface and a cylinder liner sealing surface, and a recess formed in the lower surface and located radially outward of the cylinder liner sealing surface and configured to receive therein a protective end projection of the cylinder liner. The recess may include a continuous annular recess circumferential of a center axis of a cylinder opening formed in the one-piece gasket body, and positioned adjacent the cylinder liner sealing surface. The protective end projection may include a continuous annular projection arranged coaxially with the longitudinal bore and positioned adjacent an inner surface of the cylinder liner.