2000 Johnson/Evinrude SS 2 thru 8 outboards Service Manual, Page 178Get 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 place8Coat 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 pinspins to prevent permanent powerhead damage
INote The piston rings must be correctly located on their dowel 1271
10Start the piston into bore of the cylinder with deflector of the piston (sharp edge) toward intake port side of the cylinder block
INote 11Loosely install the cylinder head to prevent the pistons
from falling out