Ilike55Stoo

I am in process of rebuilding a 454 for my C10 Trk and have come up on a big puzzler. When disassembling the pistons,I have to confess I might of NOT paid enough attention whether the two valve reliefs were at top of pistons or on btm of piston. While re-assembly, I looked at the cylinder heads and determined the valve reliefs on pistons should be at top of pistons,(Wrong?) The pistons went together on crankshaft with no binding and engine could be rotated by hand at flywheel with just a slight drag (new rings) Fast forward to yesterday when I was pre-setting the valve lash, after pre-oiling engine, it bent 5 of the intake pushrods while turning engine by hand,!! I was told the shorter pushrods (8 1/4") went on the intakes and longer ones (9 1/4") went on exhausts,,,??
WHAT DID I DO WRONG???? Please,,I need help,,!!