Personally I agree that the rods are not proven as the only source of the failure, perhaps only the result.

My '91 did not have bent rods, did have a replacement (#22) head, but at 237,000 miles the cylinders and piston skirts are significantly scuffed.

I think the geometry of the engine, lowered wrist-pins, lengthened stroke, increased angles, ... consipred against the engine's logevity. Updated rods and new headgaskets probably extend its life to an acceptable number.

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