YES it is. Most shops I get stuff in from have turned the sm. end to purple or burnt black. Way too hot. the pin will get the
edge heated and stick part way through then its all over till you press it out and start again.
If you have any way to measure the small end it seems lots of rods have about .0025-.00358 press which is waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much.
I go .0015" max on stock rods and maybe .002" on good aftermarket stuff on the 1st go around.
If you can touch up the ID of the sm end then just carefully heat the rod till it turns a darker shade of light brown or a
wheat colour on the id then its ready to go in. The gas or elect.heaters are the same as using a small torch just easier you just have to watch what your doing and get the colour right before you install the pin.