Hey Dave,

I think I can answer these questions.

1) Yes dimple faces upward.

2) Typically the oil expansion ring (bottom wavy ring) is non directional, but recently I've installed a few sets were the manufacturer actually instructed otherwise. In this case where the expansion ring comes together, an "arrow" is formed and that arrow should point up. The thin oil rings that fit above and below the wavy expansion ring are non-directional in nearly every application.

In my Big Block Ford build video @41:04 I review this information: (entire video is indexed in the description)

https://youtu.be/m5n9Xs1QwG0

Side note: You mention that your top ring is gapped tighter than your 2nd ring. Is that a Hemi specific thing? I've never heard of anyone doing that. Typically, your top ring has the largest gap because it expands more due to increased heat near the combustion chamber. Be careful with that, it could be really bad news if the top ring ends come together.

Dan
(Also preparing to build a Gen 2 Hemi)