95% of all ring seal issues are related to the hone, your assembly and proper break in oil.
I will also tell you that 95% of the guys out there honing cylinders have ZERO clue about what they are doing.
yes by all means hone the walls so the new rings will have a place to seat ! also you might have to have a ridge reamer to cut the ridge off the top of the cylinder walls !
Just to join the chorus, rings won't break in against a slick cylinder wall. And as Tim S warns, ream the ridge or risk a broken top ring. Not sure how you are getting the pistons out withut reaming the ridge.
Yes hone it but check you don't have a lip where the old ring stopped at the top of the bore. If you have you must get it ground or get a modified top ring with a bevel in it. Otherwise first time it starts you'll break the top ring.
honing is always a good choice before re ringing an engine. Helps the rings to seat better.
new rings = honing
or would it be better to just clean the cylinder well (it looks shiny/smooth). i've been hearing mixed opinions online but whats the safest route.
