Super A Piston Rings

The IH book describes the upper 2 compression rings as being the same, but the third compression ring is tapered and has the word "top" stamped. That is exactly what was removed from the pistons. But....

The replacement piston ring set comes with 3 compression rings and the modern 3-piece oil ring. So far so good.
Two of the compression rings have a taper cut on the inside radius of one edge. Opposite the taper, on the flat surface of the ring, a small dot is stamped. These two rings are black in color. The third compression ring is uniformly square in profile and is shiney-metal in color.

Any ideas of what order to install the rings and is the taper toward the top or bottom?

This is TOO critical to long-term satisfaction with the engine OH to GUESS how to install the rings!

From the Hastings Piston Ring Website:

"RING INSTALLATION

All piston ring sets contain information relative to the proper installation of the rings packaged in the set.

Although in many cases most compression rings appear similar to the mechanic installing them, there are, however, many subtle design changes which dictate how the ring is correctly installed.

Not only must the ring be installed with the proper side toward the top of the piston, but it is also imperative that the ring be installed in the proper groove.

Rings installed in the wrong groove or wrong side up can lead to excessive oil pumping, excessive blow-by, and in some cases completely dry up the bore, causing ring and cylinder scuffing as well as accelerated wear. Any of these problems, of course, constitute a failure as far as an engine overhaul or rebuild is concerned."

If you INSIST on "Winging it", check out the site linked below:

• Installation tips