[Cliff R]

The only thing we can conclude from the information provided thru far is that someone made a "mistake" during the assembly of this engine.

Highly UNLIKELY that 7 out of 8 pistons were installed in the wrong direction on purpose, as mentioned above.

They ALL need to go back in the correct direction and the rods put in so the "flats" face each other anch chamfered ends out toward the radius on the throws.

Unless I missed it someplace I'm the only one with 100,000 miles of DIRECT experience having inadvertantly installed the pistons in the wrong direction for 10,000 miles, then taking the engine back down and putting them in the right direction for another 90,000 miles. It isn't an option, the engine will never be up to par with 7 in the wrong way and one in the right way. One should ALWAYS spend the time/funds, no matter how costly at the time, to do the best they can with these things. Otherwise you end up on these Forums trying to get others to solve issues that you could have easily avoided. Most likely here noise from the pistons slapping all around in the bores and oil consumption or poor ring seating from the rings getting dragged all around in the bores on those flopping around pistons.

At this point we're up to 13 pages and 7 pistons are still in backwards and worn valve guides have been knurled instead of the heads getting a full set of new guides with new once piece stainless valves in them.

Personally I'd rather start an engine out with new components, better components, and on the minimum spec. If nothing else I'll sleep better at night knowing I'm not going to have to go back in it anytime soon.........FWIW.....