1 - Use a heavy oil when you reinstall the pistons - NAPA
makes a heavy oil for ring replacement purposes.

2 - Make sure that the rings do not have all their openings
on the same side - rule of thumb is 90º from each other.

2a - Make sure they are the right rings before
installation - I have the honor of embarrassing myself
by doing this on a 440 hemi once.

3 - Torque the head bolts clockwise, inside out.

4 - Oil up the crank bearings.

5 - If you decide to use Permatex or Blue Goo on the head
gasket, use it sparingly and make sure you don't plug any
water, intake or exhaust port.

6 - Make sure that any splines are matched to their receiver
properly.

7 - Pull the motor through when assembled about ten times
spraying each time with two cycle oil or similar. This will
help seat the rings properly before you crank it.

8 - Go with a 30/1 mix for the first tank of gas, change the
plugs and return to the 50/1 mix. This will help with break
in.

9 - Take your time, think the process through and you will
do fine.

Lastly, if you think you've done something wrong, just stop,
look things over and make sure you are right. It's measure
twice, cut once rule applied to mechanics.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom

Ahem! 440 Mopar was a Wedgehead motor. However, one could assume that a 392
or 426 was outfitted with a stroker crank or over bored a bit to get to 440
CID.
"Rural Knight" wrote in message
ink.net...
1 - Use a heavy oil when you reinstall the pistons - NAPA
makes a heavy oil for ring replacement purposes.

2 - Make sure that the rings do not have all their openings
on the same side - rule of thumb is 90º from each other.

2a - Make sure they are the right rings before
installation - I have the honor of embarrassing myself
by doing this on a 440 hemi once.

3 - Torque the head bolts clockwise, inside out.

4 - Oil up the crank bearings.

5 - If you decide to use Permatex or Blue Goo on the head
gasket, use it sparingly and make sure you don't plug any
water, intake or exhaust port.

6 - Make sure that any splines are matched to their receiver
properly.

7 - Pull the motor through when assembled about ten times
spraying each time with two cycle oil or similar. This will
help seat the rings properly before you crank it.

8 - Go with a 30/1 mix for the first tank of gas, change the
plugs and return to the 50/1 mix. This will help with break
in.

9 - Take your time, think the process through and you will
do fine.

Lastly, if you think you've done something wrong, just stop,
look things over and make sure you are right. It's measure
twice, cut once rule applied to mechanics.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom