tonight ah got the pistons out , earlier compression tests were showing a distinct lack of compression in pot 2 & 3 , , the compression rings (top ring) were gummed up on both pistons, but as a set they are in really good condition, with no wear, as i recon this is a REME based workshop rebuild, bout mid '60s , prob only done 10k since.
so working from bottom of block facing up, dead centre of 1 & 3 , remove nuts 9/16 AF push down pistons and remove from bottom keeping together in sets, and stamping with number stamps for later rebuilding. then do 2 & 4, but rotate engine to give clearance to work, chech shells too for wear at this point? white metal is in good condition, brass showing thru, worn , steel , with deep scoring , er........ nackered !
this set had seen very little use, nevermind wear of any kind !
to check condition of rings, i carefully removed the top ( compression ) ring, placed in corresponding bore, ie, piston 1's ring in bore 1, then put piston on top to make sure ring was in bore square, removed piston , then check gap in ring, mine were 0.025, check acceptable tollerences with the workshop manual ! i concider it to be a good set of rings, but i might still change them later on . before i rebuild the engine.