Piston ring question

[peabodyracin]

Many years ago I picked up a 361 short block which was presented as having been freshened up. I bought it because it was cheap and it was a 62 casting, which I figured might come in handy some day since I've always loved the 62's.

After getting it home I looked it over some more and saw much more blue silicone than I cared for, so I tore the entire thing apart to check everything. I took the time to bag and tag all the component parts that might be mixed up but for some reason did not mark the top and middle piston ring bags. The good news was I didn't find anything that concerned me, and everything went on the shelf for another day.

That day is here now. I've started to get ready to reassemble things and cannot say for sure which is the top and which is the middle ring for the pistons. Here are profile pictures, which aren't the best but I hope might help you provide some guidance for this feeble mind. One ring (first photo) has a 'notch' to the inside radius and other (second photo) to the outside radius. As luck would have it there are no dimples to indicate the top of the rings either. I'm hoping you smart engine guys can give me some help. I need to know which you think is the top ring and which orientation both rings should have. I'm sure at the time I was thinking "I'll remember". I thank you in advance.

 

[DanielSlocum]

If the top rings are molly, they will be shiney and the 2nd rings will be dull. A top ring w/bevel on the inside of the ring goes on the piston bevel side up.
A second ring with a bevel around the inside goes on the piston bevel side down. Generally, if one ring has a bevel around the inside and the other ring has no bevel....the non beveled ring is the top ring and the beveled ring is 2nd w/the bevel facing down.

 

[peabodyracin]

Thanks for your reply! These are cast rings I’m pretty sure. I’d guessed the inner notch might be a top ring but then talked myself out of that assumption.
The thing that still confuses me here is the notch on the outer circumference of the other rings.

 

[DanielSlocum]

Never seen the notch around the outside;strange. Normally the top ring has a bit more tension but its not easy to judge the difference.
Its an odd bore size but maybe you can find something new to be sure? Molly is far better if available as the bores wont wear nearly as much.
good luck.