1998 Johnson Evinrude "EC" 2 thru 8 Service Manual, P/N 520202, Page 167Get this manual
7Install piston rings on each pistonSpread each ring with ring expander just enough to slip it over the head of the piston and down into place
8Coat the pistons and cylinder bores with oil
9Place the piston in OMC Ring Compressor, PIN 326589Make certain that the rings are correctly positioned in their grooves with respect to the dowel pinsDamaged pistons and broken rings may result from imperfect alignment of the ring gap and the dowel pins
INotel 1271
The piston rings must be correctly located on their dowel pins to prevent permanent powerhead damage
10Start the piston into bore ofthe cylinder with deflector of the piston (sharp edge) toward intake port side of the cyli nder block
INote 11 Loosely install the cylinder head to prevent the pistons
from falling out