An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block with a cylinder bore. A cylinder liner within the cylinder bore has a distal end with an outside diameter. A cooling ring has a first inside diameter, a larger second inside diameter and a plurality of radial coolant passages. The first inside diameter is positioned closely adjacent to the outside diameter at the distal end of the cylinder liner. The second inside diameter is radially spaced apart from and defines an annular coolant channel with the outside diameter of the cylinder liner. The radial coolant passages are in fluid communication with the annular coolant channel.