Thanks for the update, Paul. If it were me I'd replace the rings at the same time, so that won't need to be done for another 500 hours or so - but there are arguments against doing the extra work. One is that if you replace the rings you'll have to take the head off, and with an Intek, that might get it started on blowing head gaskets. Another reason is that we don't know how many hours it has run now, so we can't really guess how close it is to needing new rings. Essentially though, I tend to replace rings when I'm opening the crankcase if an engine has wear anywhere, provided I can get factory-quality new rings very cheaply. If it's never been dismantled before, that should pretty much make it into a new engine again. That rule seems to work for ex-contractor Hondas that have never been in the hands of amateur owners, anyway. (I've had a couple of Hondas that had passed through multiple hands, ending up with them running on just a splash of oil in a sump-full of swarf, or in one case, no oil at all but a dollop of thick molybdenum disulphide oil additive. There is nothing you can save from those engines except bolt-on external parts, and some assorted fasteners.)
