[vettestr]

Dwight,
Very hard to determine how go/bod the scratch is over the net but there may be hope. Before you can tell if it is a (go or no go) on a re-ring option you will need some hard numbers or measurements. Granted any cylinder wall defect is not ideal but as a racer for many years I have been in your shoes before and seen woorse looking clean up fine.

Double check all the spec's of this cylinder to see where you are at now and what the clearances are now. Hone the cylinder just to the point of an acceptable cross hatch for the rings and measure the new bore diameter. You have a few thou to play with here on an engine with this little wear so see if you are still in the window. You and a good machinist can determine if you are within the +/- limits or not.

Just because you can see a small remaining scratch after a clean up hone does not condemn the engine but it may clean up easier than you think. I would be checking the pistons' ring lands closely and the rings end gap for sure. It may not be ideal but you have limited options. You would be amazed at how loose some of the old race engines were set up or run and RAN WELL. Get the expertise of an old machinist to give you a second opinion. I am hoping it works out for ya. Jeff C