For Ray’s engine, H&amp;H chose an original 4-inch Merc stroker crank that had been offset-ground 1/8 inch. “Offset-ground” means that the original 2.138-inch big end, or rod pin, journals were reground 1/8-inch offset and smaller to accept 2-inch bearings. This produced a 41⁄8-inch stroke that, when coupled with a 35⁄16-inch bore, results in a 284-ci engine.