The green book seems to suggest that there is a front and a back to the con rods in a B20, but isn't explicit. They look symmetrical to me and although I marked them on removal of the pistons (lined up mark on piston and marked as F) they do not all line up the same way based upon the casting marks on the rods. Any thoughts on how careful I need to be to get them back to the same orientation on reinstalling with new pistons? Thanks as always.
Bill

AFAIK, all the asymmetry is in the piston (pin offset to the driver's side of the engine). Both sides of the rod should be identical, aside from the number stamped on the side. Make sure you get the proper cap on each rod in the right orientation, though... THAT matters.

Thanks. Yeah the caps are clearly marked and easy to get right. I see the asymmetry in the pistons, the chips out of the top make orientation easy. I didn't see any difference between rods, but the green books makes a reference to getting the rods oriented right or they are "noisy". As I think about it, as long as I get the cap marks all on the same side I should be OK.
Bill

I've never built a B20, but I've never worried about it in a B21 or B23. When the manual refers to the rods' orientation being "noisy", has the orientation also been referenced in relation to the piston?

Yup, just get all the numbers on the right side and you're good to go.

Thanks for the help.I "reread" the Green Book and had confused things in my mind. What it says is " There will be a loud noise if the piston is turned the wrong way. The connecting rod marking should face away from the camshaft side. ..." (emphasis mine). Thanks again.
Bill

That would be just the piston asymmetry - the con rods don't really matter, but as they are always put on the pistons the same way you can see how that would matter.

Why would the rods always be put on the pistons the same way, Craig? I try to keep them all the same when I do an engine, but from engine to engine I don't really have a preference of left or right. Is there some reason to have the rods pointed one way or the other in the pushrod engines?

There is no reason, other than good house keeping as far as I know. All of the pushrod engines I've had apart (only 4) have had the rods oriented the same way relative to the notch on the pistons - but I don't see any reason why they couldn't be turned so long as the pistons all face the right way.

Alright, thanks! Good to know.