sorry its the opposite. as it goes up minor thrust is on the right, as it goes down major thrust is on the left.

from the front of the engine right hand side. since engine rotates clockwise compression is up on the left, thrust is down on the right.

Another question is what is the "thrust direction"? Is it the left or right side of the engine? I can't remember

Perfect that's what I thought. The diagram could definitely be labelled better. Thanks again for your help DD

Good question, that diagram could be better

The compression rings are the Top ring and the 2nd ring. Nissan recommended lining up the Oil ring rails gaps with the compression ring gaps

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so where do the compression rings go then?

The "oil ring" is three pieces:
* Oil ring top rail
* Oil ring spacer
* Oil ring bottom rail

That Nissan FSM has a circa 1980 recommendation. Your ring manufacturer may have a slightly different suggestion. Either way will be correct

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in the image above is that saying the compression ring and oil ring are in the same positions? that diagram is out of a b310 A15 FSM which is the engine i have.

There is several ways to "do it right", which is why you'll find different diagrams. All the ways involve staggering the gaps. For the oil rings I don't think it matters as long as the 3 pieces have the gaps at different spots

My Datsun 1200 factory service manual (1973 edition) doesn't seem to cover this, you would normally follow the ring manufacturer's instructions

thought so, any ideas on ring placement DD? So many different diagrams online, obviously i want to get it right as im doing assembly this weekend.