A lot to respond to here...
Do you have a ring compressor? Make sure to use good assembly lube.
I got a ring compressor a few days ago. I bought one from my local o Reilly's. Hopefully it will work and not screw up my pistons.
You can use assembly lube on the rod bearings but not in the cylinders.
Assembly lube is very slick which is good for bearings but it will keep the rings from seating if you use it on the cylinders.
Wipe a thin layer of motor oil in each cylinder before installing the pistons.
In your image I don't see the rod caps with the rods. Rod caps are not interchangeable from one rod to another. Hopefully there is a number on each rod and cap to allow you to match them back up. Also rod caps have to be put back on the same direction they came off.
The pistons that you are seeing are the old ones I took out. The new ones I just completed a few minutes ago:
(The new are the shiner ones)
All of the pistons I numbered and I also numbered the rod caps, so whatever I do with them they will be together.
There is a right and wrong direction to connect the rod to the piston and the pistons have to be put in the block in the correct direction.
The rods I bought were symmetrical and I could install them in any way. The pistons have a little dot that is supposed to be facing the front of the engine, and by looking at the old engine it seems they call the timing chain area front.
I have used rubber hoses on the end of the rod bolts to help guide the rods over the crankshaft and to protect the crank journals from the rod bolt threads. Something like 6" long hose on each rod bolt.
My rods have bolts that disconnect and are not attached to the rod itself or the caps.
You also need to make sure the rings are oriented correctly. Some manufacturers might use 120 degrees and others 180 degrees.
In the manual for the pistons they show the correct way to install the rings (180degrees)
The only thing I am worried about is my cheap o Reilly piston compressor really messing the whole piston up, like a scratch or a scuff...