1st check to make is the piston to cyl gap, do this without assembling the rings and rods (if you haven't already). IIRC you don't want anymore than .002 clearance (its in the manusl).. If thats right carefully assemble your piston assemblies. Be very careful when torquing the wrist pin nut down so as not to twist the rod. A vice i very helpful. Also there are markings on the top of the piston that mark the front facing edge. The wrist pin hole is not exactly centered on the piston so you want the pistons oriented correctly. The rods also install a certain way. On my 54 235 engine there were markings on the rod caps that should be oriented toward the cam side. Make sure the rod caps go on the way they came off.
I also plastigaged my mains and rod bearings. I did the mains and tested rotation before I installed the pistons then I installed the assembled piston assemblies and plastigaged them installed. I also oiled the pistons/rings and gave the cyls a light oil coating since I would be turning the crank many times during assembly.
Good luck and hopefully the machining is spot on.
Dave
