You sure about that? I've never heard of any factory never hardening their cranks.
This is right from 440 source's website. Granted they are trying to sell a product but still....
"Beware of other kits where shops grind a 440 crank down to 400 size mains after manufacturing, because doing this will grind off the nitriding (hardening.) Our cranks are manufactured at the factory with 400 size mains, and nitrated AFTER the journals are ground."
