Basic engine question

[767Jockey]

If I remove a piston / rod assembly from my block and bring it to the local engine builder, I would assume that he could tell me if they were cast or forged pistons visually, no? There's no part number on them. Also, do I need to replace the rings on that piston (4000 miles on the engine) or should they work OK going back into the very same cylinder they came from? I'm thinking that it may very well be easier getting the old rings to seal on the same wall they came out of than getting new rings to seal on an old wall.

It's a VERY long story, too long to tell here why I want to do this. Suffice to say that regardless of his answer it's VERY unlikely that I'll use this engine anyway - I just want to know what my options are.

[Woodz428]

You should be able to tell by looking at the underside of the piston as to it's construction...as should any decent machinist. Unless you are pulling the engine all the way down, those rings should still seal, make sure that the gaps are located correctly. You need to hone the block in order to get the new rings to seat properly, so if it is coming all the way down I would change the rings since it can be honed.