In my engine shop, i have this issue sometimes. You should have an engine machine shop resize the con. rod big ends on a rod honing machine, stick to the tight side of the specification. Carefully grind off the tangs from the bearings, make sure its flush, i finish with a file to make sure i got all of the tang. The bearing is held in the rod by the sizing and roundness of the hole, also the hone puts a nice texture on the inside of the rod, helping the grip on the od of the bearing. the sizing gives the bearing a slight press fit in the big end of the con.rod. the tang has nothing to do with holding the bearing from spinning, it is only there to locate the bearing. Of course now you have to be carefull on assembly and make sure the bearing is centered in the rod bore properly, but its not hard to do.
- terry