piston rings

Always hone the cylinders when doing a ring job, and wash the cylinders clean w/ soap & water until you get no stone residue on a white cloth. Also change rod bearings, since in there and cheap. The main bearings tend to wear less, in my experience. I pull one main cap to check one and if looks new, don't touch them. I think you can do it w/ engine in car. I did my 383 that way and didn't have to crawl underneath too many times. In my 64 slant, I must jack the engine up a bit to remove the oil pan. The K-frame might block access to a front cylinder in a slant. Change the rear crank seal while in there and remove and clean the oil pickup.