Had a 1951 Dodge car with a flathead 6 in it. My neighbor “rebuilt” it with rod bearings, valve job & new rings. It was so tight we had to pull it backwards to get enough traction to get it to turn over & finally it locked up & was junk. He too didn’t check ring clearances or taper. Swapped it out for a Chevy 327.
If it was me I would check ring clearances @ the top & bottom of the cylinder. You will end up taking it apart anyway. Sorry!!
