When I'm reassembling an engine, I like to insert the rings in the cylinder first to make sure they have the proper end gap before I fit them to the pistons. I use the flat bottom of the piston to push the rings, one at a time to about one inch below the top of the cylinder and measure the end gap with a feeler gauge. On one 8N rebuild, three of the standard compression rings were mismarked and were oversized. I also like to assemble the piston to the connecting rod before I install the rings. This allows me to put the assembly in a vise with soft jaws and hold it securely while I fit the rings. Fortunately, these engines are forgiving and you likely won't be racing it at Indy. :-) Thumbs up and subscribed!
When I'm reassembling an engine, I like to insert the rings in the cylinder first to make sure they have the proper end gap before I fit them to the pistons. I use the flat bottom of the piston to push the rings, one at a time to about one inch below the top of the cylinder and measure the end gap with a feeler gauge. On one 8N rebuild, three of the standard compression rings were mismarked and were oversized. I also like to assemble the piston to the connecting rod before I install the rings. This allows me to put the assembly in a vise with soft jaws and hold it securely while I fit the rings.
Fortunately, these engines are forgiving and you likely won't be racing it at Indy. :-) Thumbs up and subscribed!