[TR] Weird A** Question

[terryrs at comcast.net]

I was able to source a NOS set of AE 86 MM pistons and liners from our friend Mike Bonaducci in Vermont (802 439 5815).  He has one of those huge old New England barns full of unobtanium Triumph parts he's collected over 30 years.  

One such part were those pistons and liners that were brand new, packed in cosmoline...in 1972!  Heck, I still had a year left in my navy enlistment back then!

Question 1:  what's the best way to clean off old rock hard cosmoline.

Question 2:  the pistons have been inside the sleeves all this time.  What are the chances that, despite cosmoline, they've rust welded to the cylindar walls?

Question 3:  would rings that have been depressed in a cylinder for 42 years have lost their spring and should I replace the rings as a matter of course?

Mike has guaranteed them, so if there's a problem, he'll take them back.  But I'm so curious about this, I thought I'd take a stab anyway.  Plus the price was right.

Terry Smith, '59 TR3A  TS 58667
New Hampshire