sorry for the delay paulages
according to haynes ...the connecting rods must be fitted in their original locations and with the numerical code towards the front of the engine. Clymer make no mention of orientation that I have found. when I pulled the crank the writing on the conrods was on the opposite side from the alternator and the caps were orientated so the writing was the right way up when holding the crankshaft with alternator towards you. so I don't know if it's important but shall do it that way.
if you're referring to the printed number on the front of the crank, mine are definitely facing forward. i checked mine against a still-assembled 550 crank and rods, and it appears i got the orientation right. did you understand what i meant by the "bumps?" in the casting just below the wrist pin, it is different on the two sides.
