How do you get a conrod on a LA 46.

I have one that is in parts and not sure how to get the con rod hook up. It will not slide enough to slip on the pin on the crank.

Do I need to have the liner out first before the conrod will come off?

???Paul

What Phil said. The liner has to come out first. Put a glow plug washer on top of the piston and slide it into the exhaust port just far enough to catch the liner. Then with a prop on the shaft turn it to raise the liner out. Then the piston/rod should come out OK. Or; As a mechanic I once knew used to say, " Don't force it; Get a bigger hammer.

OK one more dumb question. My eyes are not what they use to be. A friend of mine said that there is a front and a back on the conrod. It is hard to tell. Will it only go on one way?

Yes there is a difference on most conrods.  if you look closely you will see a bevel in the front side of the bottom hole of the con rod.  This slight relief is needed so it doesn't bind on the crank pin.  Where the crank pin meets the flywheel is not a sharp 90 degree corner hence the conrod must be slightly relieved.