What size rings?

Where in the bore did you measure the ring gap and was the ring you checked the top ring or 2nd ring? Its actually better if you measure at the bottom of the bore espeically if you only deglazed the cylinder walls, just in case your cylinder bores may have a slight taper. You can check for taper by checking the ring gap at both the top and bottom of the bore. If there is a difference, set your ring gaps at the bottom. As for recomended ring gaps? Your stock .012" is way too tight. I've seen some as tight as .010" and is probably the culprit why the top ring lands break on stock pistons. For a good street motor, I like gapping the top ring at .005" X bore size and the 2nd ring at .0055" x bore size.