Rocker shaft orientation?

[dibbons]

Disassembling a "Hodgepodge" (stock?) 340 this week. When I removed the rocker shafts, I noticed the notches were pointed downward and both shafts had the notch near the firewall, toward the rear of the motor. Is that the correct orientation? What do those notches mean anyway?

Other reasons I found to call this a "Hodgepoddge" 340:

Block has casting date of 10 29 71 but VIN pad on oil pan rail starts with a "3" circa 1973?.
Unsilenced air cleaner with "340 four barrel" pie tin and black crinkle finish circa 1968-69.
AVS Carter (1 7/16/1 11/16) looks to be #4966S from low performance 440 circa 1970-71.
Factory intake manifold w/casting #2531915-2 circa 1968.
Cylinder heads w/casting #3418915G and "J" near spark plug holes circa 1970-72.
Water pump (8 blade) has driver side outlet w/casting #2863067 circa 1969 and older.
Cooling fan has seven blades and part #2863213 circa 1968-1971.
Both exhaust manifolds are for passenger side w/casting nos #3418623 circa 1971-72.
Alternator has #2095191 circa various years.
Direct fit oil filter, no adapter circa I don't have a clue.
Oil pan looks like it has a small front sump, I read somewhere only vans used front sumps?
Camshaft has either a dash of blue paint or blue silicone on the rear near the oil pump drive.
Haven't removed heads, camshaft, or oil pan yet. Curious what I may find inside.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I use the "Road Runner" method to remember. The shaft on the passenger's installs with the notch down and to the rear. Right Rear.....Road Runner.

The driver's side installs notch down and to the front. If there's ever any question, OR you come across some shafts without notches, just remember the oiling holes point down and toward the springs, not down and toward intake side.

 

[70aarcuda]

notch down and toward YOUR left...same as RRR says

 

[gumper]

I accidentally ran one side upside down for a few years on my race car. Must be enough oil splashing around in there that nothing was damaged.