you mention the "language" or communication needs of racers...actually it's sparsed down quite a bit more than you suggest...
I want a crower. 3.75" with 2.1" mains,5140 nitrided, 43lbs and knifed.
that's all ya need to say to a really good parts man and he won't
confuse your request with a ford or a mercedes crankshaft.
but if he a really good parts man... he will need to know your bobweight and rod length and whether the rotating assembly is
externally or internally balanced.
so... simply telling the parts man it's for a chevy 350 isn't actually good enough anyway. And you need to tell him if it is a new style seal (one piece) or an old sytle seal (two piece).
msl