Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum so I appreciate any help the members can provide. I recently purchased a 1979 Z/28 with relatively low miles. We pulled the oil pan to fix a minor rear main seal leak, and we noticed that the connecting rods were stamped with cylinder numbers (1 through 8). My mechanic swears that factory rods did not come stamped with cylinder numbers like that. He also noticed that the rods are not in the correct cylinder bore (for example, the rods stamped "2" is not in the no. 2 cylinder bore). Is my mechanic correct in that are replacement rods?

Thanks in advance.

 

If the rods you found were number stamped, then some one did so after the car left the factory. Rods are not numbered for an OE build. Numbers placed on a rod do not require that they go back in the same hole if all other factors such as cap match and side match are correct.

 

Your engine has been worked on could be as simple as replaced bearings, Rod caps that have 1 to 8 stamped on them is common practice when rebuilding engine most should be stamped in order front to back with engine upside down