Bad rings with only 155k after 27 yrs?? Yes, I can see this happening same as TangoFox said, especially in northwest climate and humidity........ Here's the scenario: if one of these puppies sits outside (even under a car port) several years never being started then the rings will RUST from condensation within the bores, SEIZE in their grooves and CRACK when the engine is first started. And soon therafter cracked rings will do a number on the bores, going from bad to worst.