Needle bearing wrist pin end help won't fit!

[ct1762@gmail.com]

So i'm doing a 49ci 70hp rebuild, and I decided i'm going use the needles bearings for the rod (loose vs. the factory caged ones) that came in the rebuild kit. my issue is this: they each come with 29 needle bearings (loose).I can get 28 on, but the 29th absolutely will not fit! it has a gap were the 29th should go, but its just too small to fit the 29th. i've tried everything. the WSM package does say its for a x-flow and 60 degree motor, but they should all be the same. i might just re-use the old bearings at this point, but would rather use what came in the kit being as i paid for them. any suggestions? i do as i've always done: put the rod on the table, grease the rod surface, put the pin in and install bearings. these new ones with the vertex pistons come with 2 cupped washers on either side of the needle bearings. the bearings are oriented perfectly strait, so i'm thinking maybe they include an extra needle bearing in each set if you lose one, but i can insert a pin in the oil hole and touch the wrist pin surface. i know you shouldn't be able to do that if all are installed.

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

i looked at the parts picture of the OEM needle bearings (superceded the old caged ones) and lo and behold: 28 not 29! is it possible it's ok to have a small gap (roughly 3/4 the thickness of one needle bearing) in it or are they all supposed to be packed really tight? i can imagine, thinking on this more, the bearings would need SOME sort of room to roll so they won't rub on eachother. Racer can you shed any insight here?