ok guys my 454ho has been sitting apart for awhile i just got the money together to rebuild it and i am drawing a blank i cant remember which way the piston goes ( i know it just been that long) any help would be awesome here is a pic, they are numbered and been in a box and i know they are dirty but its best pic i can do for now,

engine is a mercruiser 454ho with the big square port heads thanks in advance

Just as you are holding them in the pic. But with fresh rings...

thanks for the help and yea it will have fresh rings and pistons all cleaned up without a doubt oh and the valve relief points to the front of the engine too correct?

wait that was a dumb question sorry i just woke up....

on a bbc, the large valve relief[intake] always goes top right of cylinder

what everybody Else said! if you want to get rid of all that carbon go to harbor freight and pick up a box of ground up walnut shells and one of those cheapo 20 dollar hand held sand blaster,,make them look almost new with out hurting the aluminum