i never have washed rings before either its stock ls pistons on stock shot peened rods with npr rings clevite bearings because acl are outta stock worldwide it was honed and has a block guard installed so idk this head has been on 3 motors and it was decked before put on this one also. so idk the rings were seated right i always put oil on the cylinder walls before installation im just more lost than a fat kid in an organic vegetarian restaraunt!