Do barrels and pistons have a front and rear designation? I can see where the heads are marked 'front and rear' and I can see where the pistons have an arrow pointing forward at the top. However, I can't see any mark on the barrels or pistons for 'front and rear'.

I bought a set of take-offs that are basically new that I am installing, but I want to make sure I don't screw them up.

Thanks

 

Arrows generally designate towards front of engine and can be used either front or rear.

 

Also, a rule of thumb is: Biggest Valve relieve in the piston top is the intake valve. So in other words, the two biggest pockets in the piston would be place in such a way that they are in the middle.

 

question are the pistons still in the jugs?????
if not i would be very careful to make sure they go back in the correct jusg a good rule of thumb would be new rings and hone the cylinders. but thats me. i hate taking it apart twice for something stupid.

 

Ahh you can only put the barrels on one way. One way that will work anyway.

 

Thanks. I'm with you that the barrels can only go on one way but assume the new pistons are already in the new barrels. Does it make any difference which barrel goes in front and which one goes the rear? (no pun intended)

 

You have to put the barrels on so the intake and push rods are on the right side of the motor. And make sure the intake valve relief is facing the intake. I don't follow what the problem is.

 

I finally checked with the dealer. There is only one part number for barrels so they can either go on the front or the rear. The same goes for pistons.

 

Correct answer. They are the same front and rear (as long as the piston arrow points forward. And I'm pretty sure the valve pockets are the same size too, at least on most pistons we come across. More aggressive builds will have different sized pockets to accommodate larger valves/higher lifts, but that doesn't sound like an issue to you at this point.