I am totally convinced that those dumped rods in 5.5 and 7.5 motors are the result of water getting into the crankcase through a faulty lower seal, not because of lack of oil. Now, might have an abundance of oil prevented the water damage? Good question.
I had beginners luck: When this rod let go, it didn’t go through the crank case. My Dad and I took it apart. He looked it over with his aircraft mechanic’s eye. We bought one rod and some gaskets, put it back together and it ran the entire next summer on 16:1, usually either at dead idle or WOT, on an 8′ Mini-Max.
Edit: It was a very long time ago; but it could very well have been the bottom rod that let go; so I see your point.
Long live American manufacturing!
