I agree with Steve, in fact I started using reconditioned 371/365/372 in 2008 -2014, two full years before the change.
Never had a new crank. Gound up rebuilds otherwise. All his customers that did have crank big end failures to my knowledge, happened in the first day. I would contribute that to possible combinations of much bigger power & tighter/too tight bottom ends. (Different gasket thicknesses) Possible a weakness that was undetectably in his inspection. A good portion were utility line slashing saws that came from Asplundha or Davey tree too so the abuse was undeniable.
I would see many come in with the nylon guide missing from the chain cover and then they would run it real tight, taking out the bottom bearing
They are a very simple saw really.
I don't know how worth it it is for the average guy to buy and convert a new saw back to a 372 though.
Coast Fallers pay $2,000 CND for a new ported conversion. Me, I can transfer ported top ends & carb over with new rings and manifold. I could even sell the odd timed out bottom end with new xtorq cover, cylinder manifold & carb to recover some conversion difference. Kind of like a core return.
For you that may not have any "372" stock then that may not be the best way to go unless another 572/565 promotional convention comes up.
I believe the 365 price was $500USD & $600 for 372.
Apart from that, You will see the odd OE come through the trading post from $850 - $900, (no wrap) ported and never even had the bottom end broken in fully. That's what you want Nick.
Another good one for you would be to price out an OEM crank and look at your opinions there? You just don't want anything stripped. Tanks are OK because you just use the 357/359 bolts.
You will sometimes see some ported ones with no top end time and good covers, bearing ect. I've never had a crank failure though in 21yrs use even on the reconditioned ones. I had one OEM bottom bearing go after about 4 months on a 2007, 372 and I was gifted a brand new ported 2171 a few yrs later by my saw builder and I bent the crank in a month and give it back.
IDK if the cranks are the same? The saws seem noticeably lighter.
Externally you really only need new guides/plates, springs, sprocket, maybe throttle cable and choke and you wouldn't no the difference blindfolded.
Like a small block Chevy in a muscle car. Comes apart and goes together like a zipper.
A very simple saw.