I picked up my 5.3 block from the machine shop and I think they installed the pistons on the rods backwards. I might be wrong but I think all the connecting rods flat edge face forward. Also, the dot on the piston must face forward. They have them installed with 1, 3, 5, 7 connecting rods facing the rear, and with the even connecting rods flat edge facing forward.

Does the orientation of the connecting rod matter since the fillets are undercut? I don't want to flip them if I don't have to.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

The fillet side of of the rod must go toward the crank weight or on the outside of the crank journal. And yes, the pistons need to be facing to the front of the engine.

 

ok. so the fillet side of the rod is the flat side ? Just making sure I'm tracking

 

I'd have to see a picture to see what you mean. But you will notice both ends of the crank journal have a rounded edge. One side of the connecting rod has a fillet to clear the rounded crank journal. Hope that makes sense.

 

I've attached some pics. one side of the rod has a flat edge by the bolt. was wondering if that was the fillet slide.

 

Looks like both sides are chamfered. Someone else who knows more about stock parts will have to chime in.

 

The only thing I have left is to measure for oil clearance, install pistons, and finish the short block. Anxious to get this thing cranked up.

 

So the machine shop didn't build the short block? Or you thought they did it wrong so you tore it apart?

 

machine shop did the boring and honing. put the pistons on the connecting rods. I just wanted to double check if they put the rods in the right direction before I finish putting it together.

 

All the flat sides face forward toward the Balancer.

See this link---> LS1 Style rod orientation