Thanks for all the great input about the bearings. If I was planning to drive this vehicle daily I'd absolutely get the insert job. But, as my annual mileage will be very low, I plan to go with original babbitt rods to spare the extra expense of buying the inserts. However, even as I read this I'm having second thoughts. Anyway, I feel mush more educated thanks to you!
As for getting the rods re-babbitted, I found a couple of places. Babbitting is a lost art and finding a qualified source was difficult. Apart from EGGE, Paul's Rod and Bearing in Kansas City MO has been very helpful and has years of experience with this type of rod.
