Needle Bearings wear just as any other bearing. Jim Allen explained that the needles wear along each end. After a while the surfaces become concave, with an oval wear pattern along the outer 1/3 of each needle end. This means the connecting rod can tilt more to both sides on the crank pin. This robs rpm and wears on the connecting rod.
Changing out the needle bearings is not difficult. But, you have to be careful. The needles are extremely hard and a loose needle will destroy the engine piston and sleeve.
Count the needles in the connecting rod before removing them. Count them again when they are out of the engine. Count them when you put in the new needles. It is not difficult to drop a needle in the engine. And, they always try to hide under the crankshaft.
I have just received 10,000 loose needle bearings. These are chrome steel needles in the industry standard size, 1.5mm by 7.8mm.
A pack of 20 needles is $8.00.
A pack of 100 needles is $38.00.
Add $6.00 for shipping.
Al Hobbs
Changing out the needle bearings is not difficult. But, you have to be careful. The needles are extremely hard and a loose needle will destroy the engine piston and sleeve.
Count the needles in the connecting rod before removing them. Count them again when they are out of the engine. Count them when you put in the new needles. It is not difficult to drop a needle in the engine. And, they always try to hide under the crankshaft.
I have just received 10,000 loose needle bearings. These are chrome steel needles in the industry standard size, 1.5mm by 7.8mm.
A pack of 20 needles is $8.00.
A pack of 100 needles is $38.00.
Add $6.00 for shipping.
Al Hobbs