copper rings

[jarmchairpilot]

Hello,
I have removed the heads and am going to replace the valves and piston rings on my D-code block for my stock 1200.
In the new seal kit I notice 4 copper rings.When I took the cylinders off mu previously unopened,original,German VW block,I saw no trace of any copper ring,or paper seal as contained in the engine seal kit(Ehlring).I figure if VW installed paper rings 42 years ago,they may well have burned away decades ago,right?
So please explain why would I need to install items in my engine that it appears VW themselves did not use?Where do the paper rings go,I think as the internal diameter is about 90mm that they go either at the top or bottom of the barrells.The pistons are 77mm.Thanks guys(its always guys-any vw-engine rebuiding gals out there-WOW-the Silence Is Deafening!)
Also any tips on installing Grant rings-the oil-control ring looks very different to the original oil-control ring,also why are they black in color when the originals are-shiney silver color?

[morymob]

The copper sealing rings were used before heater boxes were installed, heat was from engine cooling,an added compression seal to prevent cyl leaking into cooling air and into inside of car(when heat turned on). Paper ones go on bottom of cyls, adding a non hardening sealer as 'permatex' helps sealing. Orig rings were 1-piece, new are 3-piece for oil unless you find some old stock ones, color don't matter.