Re using cast iron rings?
Well...the cost of a gasket set will be probably more than the rings so if it doesn't work you have that expense again. Also, someone may have mentioned this but there will probably be a difference between the top and bottom of the rings from how they wore in so I'm not sure if they won't wear super quick if you reverse them. I only am thinking this because Quincy air compressor rings actually are ground with an angle on them and they have a pip on I believe the top side.
This brings a story to mind though. When I was in tech school in the late 70's I had a Datsun and I bought a rebuild kit from JC Witney (first mistake). A month after the rebuild it loses power and started smoking real bad. I ripped it apart and besides the exhaust valves being melted, the rings were made of like the same metal as spiral wound notebook wire is...they easily spread open and never went back to the original shape! LOL