1998 Johnson Evinrude "EC" 9.9 thru 30 HP 2-Cylinder Outboards Service Manual, Page 151Get this manual
6Install piston rings on each pistonTapered ring must be installed in top grooveSpread each ring with ring expander just enough to slip it over the head of the piston and down into place7Coat the piston and cylinder bore with oil [!]
8Place the piston in QVIC Ring Compressor, PI 339754, (PIN 339755 for oversize pistons)Make 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 pinsrings must be correctly located on their dowel pins to prevent permanent powerhead damage
INote The piston
[] 9Start the piston into bore of the cylinder with deflector of the piston (sharp edge) toward intake port side of the cylinder block
INote Loosely
install the cylinder head to prevent the pistons from falling out