[Healeys] Top Trunnion Needle Bearings

[Bob Spidell]

Jack,

You are correct.  Please see my later message where I acknowledged I was
thinking of the wrong bushing--the top king pin bush--in this response.

I am considering installing the needle thrust bearings myself.

Regards,
Bob

Ph.J.Aeckerlin wrote:
> Well, Bob, I can assure you that the thrust bearings are Oilite, and I 
> can also inform you that grease should NEVER be used on Oilite 
> bearings. The trick of Oilite bearings is that they are porous, and 
> that the pores are filled with oil before assembly. If you want to 
> re-oil an Oilite bearing just put it in a small can filled with engine 
> oil, heat the can (and the oil) till no air bubbles escape any more 
> from the bearing and then let the can and the oil with the bearing 
> still under oil cool down to room temp. That's the only proper way to 
> re-lubricate an Oilite bearing. Grease will smear the bearing surface 
> and prevent the oil to be transported to the shaft under capillary 
> action.
> (I used to be the Oilite sales agent in The Netherlands).
> Furthermore in my view you are comparing 'normal' needle bearings 
> (like on the valve rockers) to needle thrust bearings - and they are 
> completely different animals.
> Kind regards,
> Jack Aeckerlin, The Netherlands
>
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Bob Spidell         San Jose, CA        bspidell at comcast.net
'67 Austin-Healey 3000             '56 Austin-Healey 100M
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