I always considered the YS to be easy on fuel at similar power settings

Save for one 160!Gemini (I have run 120, 160 and the 300) mine were built up from baskets as well.
The only rod failure I had was with the one and only “new” 160, and it was a bronze rod. Replaced the rods in that engine with a pair of aluminum rods and gave the engine to a friend about 20 years ago. AFAIK they are still holding their own. Oil matters on the aluminum rods, revs kill the bronze vesions IMHO.