When setting a block to a CHEST or SIGN_POST the direction of the resulting item is somewhat random. In 1.7.10, it was always the same direction. In V1.8 I've found that it changes and I cannot work out why.

Examples code:
Block blockToChange = world.getBlockAt(x, Settings.island_level + 5, z + 3);
blockToChange.setType(Material.SIGN_POST);

Unless the sign is specifically direction set, it sometimes spawns facing SOUTH, and sometimes NORTH.

I also have code that loads schematics. The blocks from the schematic are set using this code:

block.setTypeIdAndData(type, blockData[index], false);

This also results in signs and chests sometimes being oriented wrongly even though the data part should set the orientation.

Due to the random nature, I haven't been able to work out a pattern yet or reliably way to replicate the issue.