I am rebuilding a 400SBC and the main journals on the crank mic out to stock specs. The journals, however, have discolorations on them from wear and a few can be felt with my fingernail if I scratch down real hard. Do I absolutely have to remachine/polish them before using the crank with the new bearings?

I am using the "old school" rebuild book by David Vizard and he shows a pic of a journal with a more visibly worn journal than mine and it says it is just fine for reuse.

My gut says yes, wallet says no, and the gut usually wins.

Anyone? Bueller?

I would try to clean it up with a polish even if it mic'd out ok. piece of mind in this case would be required imho.

We would polish the crank and measure prior to installation.