Thanks Barry for all this information. I find it quite interesting.
So if the rings rotate around out of phase with each other, then it should make no difference where the gaps are when you assemble the engine.
On the one that I know was assemble with all the gaps in the same spot, when pulled down (around 5000 miles), all the gaps were still lined up. Rotated the rings put it back together and the
oil burning stopped. I think maybe if all the gaps get line up then the blow by and grove of
oil that isn't getting wiped keeps them from rotating.
So if you start with the ring gaps staggered, and they rotate randomly, what is the statistical chance that they will at some point align on their own? I'm befuddled by that question.