pete,
The stator-rotor core alignment is fixed by the anit-friction bearing centres. If the stator/rotor core is equidistant from both the bearing centres, then rotor can be inserted either way. However, in most motors, stator/rotor core is not equidistant from the bearing centre. In such a case, it is possible to insert the rotor the wrong way (in a repair shop or even in OEM shop) so that there is a axial misalignment of cores. To correct it, you just flip the rotor 180 deg horizontally (so that your DE becomes ODE). I have done it many times due to original careless motor assembly by someone.