I've taken Rosies head off, I can't see any scoring in the bores or feel anything when I run my fingers round, however the pistons shift from side to side by a couple of millimeters, does this mean I need to replace the piston rings (am guessing it does).
There is always some movement but there is a specific clearance value which
someone will tell you. The question is was the carbon on the pistons and
cylinder head hard baked on or a soft oil sludge?
There was carbon on the pistons, the head gasket was soft oil sludge. There was also carbon on the head and the block. Everything came apart very easily and there was no obvious damage to the gasket.
If it really is a couple of millimetres of movement - then it needs a re-bore and new pistons. In fact - very rarely do new rings do any long-lasting good. Often the ring grooves in the pistons are worn - and the 'lands' between can be broken up. can you feel much of a ridge at the top of the bores - about 1/2" down from the top ?
