Ok,I just took off the cylinder(couldnt resist). Now,I've been working on 2-stroke motocross engines my whole life and was surprised to see how scratch free the cylinder and piston were,but this could just be typical on these little engines. There is no real scoring on the exhaust side of the cylinder. Like I said,the piston has some carbon scoring buildup on it,but no bad gauges or scratches....seems like mostly carbon deposit. When you rub your fingernail over it,you can feel some VERY slight roughness,but I think most of that would polish off. The rings look pretty good,but the piston ring grooves have some good carbon buildup in them and the bottom ring seemed kinda stuck in place before I wiggled it were the "blowby" carbon was on the piston. This is also where the top ring gap is. So,I'm just wondering if that ring gap didnt cause some blowby that caused the carbon buildup on that spot?

I'm honestly thinking its still in ok shape,just needs cleaned up. Normally I would not think twice about a new piston and rings,but not sure if a new piston is practical for this engine......but new rings would sure be nice regardless. And I already planned on getting some auto parts store gasket material,but the base gasket is still in great shape,so maybe I'll try to reuse it.

And while thinking of the best way to clean up everything.....I couldnt help to keep thinging of an idea my "glow" buddies use alot which is to cook thier mufflers and engines in a crock pot of anti-freeze. They say is works miracles for clean burnt muffler oil residue off. Have any of you ever tried this to clean up pistons and/or cylinders and stuff? Wonder if it would take off carbon?