Kiekhaefer 3.9 needle bearing selection..

[mercuk]

Hi all, rebuilding this little engine and went to my local bearing shop in search of a new needle bearing roller cage for the top bearing carrier....(the one that sits in between the top roller bearing and top oil seal)

Now mine is ORIGINAL from 1966 and its not it bad shape but thought I'd replace the whole lot whilst I'm in there..... Anyway, the one that came out of is a Torrington J-1210

Now my local place didn't have them but had the same size equivilents... BUT different number of needle bearings inside....:grumpy:......
So my original one has 17 needle rollers.... The first one they had in the shop had 15 rollers (IKO BA 1210Z) and the other was a ( Torrington B-1210) and had a FULL COMPLIMENT of 27 needle rollers....

I bought both of them anyway, but haven't decided if the full compliment one is over kill....

Which would sould I go for or should I try a bit harder and find original spec rollers......I probably could if I looked further a field in my search, i.e mail order...

Thanks in advance people...

 

[mercuk]

Re: Kiekhaefer 3.9 needle bearing selection..

Come on people what do we think full complement of needle rollers over kill or not??!!! Either way not keen on using original one as there was a slight knocking/rattle on idle.....hence rebuild..... I know its probably NOT the needle rollers but just wana replace it all so I don't have to strip down again.......

Both roller bearings will be renewed and big end needles are on order....... Just gota figure out what to do with the with top needle rollers....... Anyone got any suggestions??!!