Abstract: The engine comprises three basic parts, of which one is the crankcase; the others consist in at least one modular liner-and-head casting, of which the liner part is accommodated slidably and to a fluid-tight in a respective bore afforded by the crankcase, and a cylindrical element accommodated freely and rotatably in a through hole formed from matched openings in the walls of the crankcase and in each modular cylinder head, in such a way that it functions additionally as a pin by means of which to assemble the modular components.