Jim, or anyone who has had 350 sprag problems, the hardened (black) aftermarket races are not worth the metal they are made of. If a 350 is built on a budget the stock race, in good shape, is worth 3 black ones.
The aftermarket drums available from Transmission Speciaties, or TCI are the only way to go when reliability is important.
The stock sprag outer race doesn't need to be hardened. It needs more contact than the 8 small rollers can supply. The race flexes because of the long distance between the rollers. The black race breaks because it cannot flex. The stock race breaks because it flexes beyond it's capability usually more than once.
__________________
A Government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have. - Jefferson
"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams
Right and wrong doesn't need facts all the time.
-Lighthouseman ("lawyer")
Starnes Performance Automatics
www.Starnesperformance.com