This thing was literally running perfect one minute then the next dead on the side of the road. I drove it 52 miles to work that morning then left at lunch to run to the store and it died. So crazy
Most of that ate up gear metal will have went right thru the oil pump and will be in the oil filter
Causing no problems unless you are the worrying type (only your psyche will be affected)
I would like to think I could tell the difference but would sure want both gears sitting side by side to compare
Cranks are easy small parts not so much IMO
I can't remember exactly ( I shoulda been in politics) but one end of the gear will have a machined look if its steel, and the Iron one will have more of a cast look... Still its very subtle.......