aluminum anodised.
Yes rods are still available
yes other rods that fit are available, pins over the counter, mains over the counter, washer, small end bearing and gugeon etc too
yes pistons are but your better of sleeving it then you can have as many oversizes as you like as you wont find the chrome rings anymore there is no reason to save the old chrome liner.
otherway round Geoff you use a lower rod and a normal piston from 74-79 even wiseco and woosner make them for this application
Tell the guy to call me if he wants and ill take him through his options. there are some easy ways to do this and some hard ways.