Been working engines for a few decades and never ran across this: Mopar bronze surfaced rod bearings...... What purpose are these for, and what do they do that is special or different ?

Never heard of them, either. Can you show a link or something? Where did you hear about them.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Bronze is used in applications where wear resistance is highly desired being it's a slightly harder material than the tin/copper babbitt. Typically these are seen in industrial applications or constant run high rpm applications, never hear of them being used in auto applications.

OK that is making some sense. since the /6 was used in some industrial apps. A couple of NOS /6 bronze surfaced rod bearing sets showed up on fleaBay, which is what caused me to ask:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370627279459?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

The E49 Valiant Charger 265 triple Weber engines had them from the factory in Australia. Pretty sure the Ford inline six had them in early 4 main bearing models .... I saw a main bearing set for on that was bronze,not sure if it was OEM. Nothing special about them,lots of better choices out there these days.