Abstract: In a two cycle internal combustion engine (2), a fuel-air flow passage and reservoir (52) is provided along the exhaust bridge (34) and between the piston (4) and the cylinder inner wall (36) for lubricating the exhaust bridge (34). The piston (4) has a flat spot (50) machined on its side wall (38) to form an axially extending flow passage and reservoir closed at its top end by the piston rings (40) and at its bottom end by a lower portion (60) of the piston side wall (38) which is not machined and which is closely adjacent the cylinder inner wall (36). When the piston (4) is in its power stroke, crankcase pressure forces fuel-air mixture through holes (56, 58) in the piston side wall (38) at the flat surface (50) into the flow passage and reservoir (52). If the exhaust bridge (34) heats and expands into the cylinder (6), the piston (4) will not rub on it.