Has anyone ever used a needle bearing in the lt? I built two motors using the mad mud motor plans and have since installed a thrust bearing setup on the lower end and am contemplating on putting a needle bearing in the engine end of the tube. I feel a baring of some nature is better then a bushing.

Look at Beavertails parts list. I'm running two of thier upper assy and it works fine. $200 well spent!!

You are running a top on the bottom too? How do you keep your shaft from thrusting into the bearing carrier

I understand the question about needle bearings. They are more suited to the RPMs of the long shaft. However they are made of carbon bearing steel and corrode just like all other bearings - ball or roller. and they need a hardened bearing steel inner race. Hard bronze bushings coupled with 17 - 4 harder stainless shafting that is lubricated with gear lube or even 30 weight oil instead of grease will give lots of seasons of service without any wear to the shaft or bushing and most importantly no corrosion in the system and subsequent locking up of the bearing/drive shaft. Liquid lubrication does require a better seal than a simple spring lip seal.

Mark F. Cheney