There is a quick way to check cylinder taper. Take a ring (new or used, doesn't matter) and square it up against the ring ridge or the top of the ring travel where the ridge used to start. Measure the gap with stacked-up feeler gauge blades if necessary. Use a piston to push the ring to the bottom of the ring travel and measure again. The gap will be narrower in most cases. Subtract the bottom gap from the top and divide by 3. The result is your cylinder taper.
I keep saying, and you keep ignoring me- - - -ring gap specifications are MINIMUM measurements. A gap of .031" is very acceptable. Concern yourself with cylinder taper, not gap. If the taper is .005" or maybe just a bit more, hone the cylinders and re-ring. Just be absolutely sure to scrub all the hone grit out with a stiff-bristle brush, detergent, and HOT water, followed by a boiling water rinse.
Jerry
