And then it went Bang

[Bob Culver]

I presume the paper weight reference is tongue in cheek. Unless nitrided and therefore now cracked, certainly would not consign to scrap if the opening is still circular. Maybe these are heat treated different but conrods in many makes stand incredible bending  when things go bang, so unlikely to be seriously affected by slight distortion. (i have seen folded double) The rods are massive for such small pistons and for the revs intended for original sports cars.  Straightened would seem likely far more reliable as a road rod  than typical used Austin originals.