[cstreit]

1. You can replace the big-end bearings without splitting the case. Just don't drop any parts in there! Its a bit dicey to get the torque's done and certainly nearly impossible to use the stretch method for ARP style bolts, but I've replaced them this way.

2. Magic 8-Ball sez: Chances are Good. Seriously there are some good threads on this and people have had success. Enough that I would feel comfortable doing it, even though the fix if ti doesn't work is a teardown.

3. I'd replace it or you could take it to a shop, have the offending section cut out, and re-brazed if budget is an issue.