big difference from bbc to sbc.a low compression sbc piston has 4 valve reliefs.

IMHO the pistons on the small block still should have went in the right way.

MT - This thread is about a small block.

Why? Wouldn't the offset on the pin be the wrong direction?

No. If the piston is this way or that way the rod stays the same. The piston just slides from one side to the other on the piston pin.
Another concern I would have is if the rod is also on backwards or is it normal on the piston which will be backwards. If the rod is on backwards and if you are using a forged crank with radius corners on the crank journals the narrowed rod bearings will grind on the crank. Bottom line is the bearing tabs go outside always.

The rods were oriented the usual way in the motor I am discussing. The pistons were on opposite of how they normally are so the offset would reduce the thrust load on the reverse rotation.

well crap.i guess i have bbc on the brain,OOPS.

i did not know a sbc has an offset pin in the piston.are you sure about that?

If the Pistons have 4 valve reliefs they can go either way

i have done quite a few that way,i never heard of a sbc with on offset pin bore.