1971 340 Build - Choosing piston rings dilemma

70Hardtop said

Good idea if he was into performance engines and had that type of knowledge but he's 74 years old and runs just a regular machine shop. One day he's be doing machine work on a Toyota 4 cyl engine, next will be rods from a Top Fuel drag car, next day will be will be a rebore on a lawnmower engine.

He doesn't have much interest in the parts. He would just say throw in some no-name cast rings.

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What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? ASK the guy how he honed it. There are a few different methods, all of which dictate which style rings to run. Moly rings take one style of finish while cast rings take another. My suggestion would be ask your machinist. If he "doesn't know" then what I suggest is re-honing it yourself based on what rings you plan to run.

If you simply make a decision and sling it together, the rings may never seat, as the type of ring you choose may not match the particular finish your cylinder has. If he's 74 and been a machinist a long time he may know more about performance machine work than you give him credit for.