One more question...
Can the rings be changed with the motor still in the car, or do I need to yank it out?
this can be done with the motor in the car. you will spend a lot of time on a creeper but it can be done.
"....on a 2.0 (
71 or 72 -not sure about 73) remove the top nut from the motor mounts and jack up the motor so that it sits on top of the motor mount studs.
remove all the pan bolts and separate the pan from the block.
using the correct tool & a 3/8" drive ratchet, remove the oil pump bolts & drop the pump into the sump of the pan. (don't forget to keep track of the oil pump/distributor drive hex shaft-it MAY fall out & into the pan)
once the oil pump has been dropped the pan will slide out toward the front without too much trouble..."
once you have the pan off (as well as the cylinder head), you will have access to the connecting rod bolts & after removing them & setting them aside in the order removed, you will have to push the piston / rod assembly up & out the top of the block.
this is a lot of work. it ain't easy. but in the absence of an engine hoist it can (i became an expert) be done
you have a lot of work to do!!!