Russ, you are correct about the offset in the SBC rods. The beam is offset from one side on the B/E of the rod. On aluminum rods, it might not be as apparent because the beam is much wider than the beam of a stock forged steel rod, and the offset might not be as obvious to the naked eye. Also as you mentioned, for use in inlines, a chamfer on the ID of the B/E is required to each side of the rod to give clearance for the radius on the crank journals. A SBC(most any V-style engine as well) only has a chamfer cut into the side of the B/E that faces the radius.If you have ever forgotten to number the rods when you disassembled an engine, thats a good way to tell if you are putting them back in the engine with the correct orientation, by looking at the chamfer and making sure they are facing the radius. Also for racing applictaions involving inlines, the rod bearings are often radiused on both sides as well to clear the radius'.
