In the case of the L36, and even any SBC that had 4 valve reliefs, the piston can be installed either way. That's why GM put in the 4 valve reliefs instead of 2, so the worker could just slide the piston/rod assembly in place without having to worry about having it in backwards and a valve hitting the piston.

 

You mean, like these SBC pistons with 4 valve reliefs, that have a dimple showing which end points toward the front of the engine?

 

You photoshopped that in. Haha. I guess I stand corrected. I know the ones we have in the race car don't specify, but who knows.

 

Lol... probably the difference between factory pistons and aftermarket then.

 

Except we're required to run factory internals in our Pure Stock class....

 

if the pistion pin is offset to one side, that side goes to the passenger side of the engine.