http://www.totalseal.com/TechPage.aspxThey don't seem to say anything about oiling them prior to assembly. I could swear my instruction sheet from last year said to oil lightly but I could be wrong. Could have sworn I saw a warning of not using too much oil or the rings might not seat. Now I can't find the paperwork.
I install them with just a light wipe of motor oil on the cylinder wall and piston, as well as rings. And I never let the engine idle at first start up. I let some oil get in the ring grooves to make sure the rings don't seize in the groove, then I move the rings around so much of the oil squeezes out and then I wipe off what came out.
I don't install anything dry. So far so good, after 27 years of building various 2 and 4 stroke engines... only minor mishaps
Too much oil is bad.
