Been doing some more digging - I'm not so sure that the balance shafts have needle bearings after all, FWIW. Saw some info indicating that they may be actually plain-type bearings as well - with the aluminum housing ID directly being the outer plain bearing surface. Regarding that babbitt rear bearing down in the bore, wouldn't it be as vulnerable to scoring due to contaminants or oil starvation as any other well-oiled bearing in the engine (and don't those shafts spin at 2X engine RPM as well)? I've seen photos of scoring and embedded particles in these babbitt bearings, just like any other. Thanks for the part number. I had cautiously arrived at the same part number - but wasn't 100% certain of a direct connection to our balance shafts. Another puzzle piece. I'll call the dealer with the part number and see what they say. I need to go back to the factory shop manual again and look for this bearing with a "magnifying glass". Surely....it must be in there somewhere.
Regarding the access to the bearing on he water pump side - is the bore actually closed off by the block (except for water pump drive stub) or is the bore constant all the way out, being closed off only by the water pump stub _oil seal_? I thought that it would be the latter.
Regarding the access to the bearing on he water pump side - is the bore actually closed off by the block (except for water pump drive stub) or is the bore constant all the way out, being closed off only by the water pump stub _oil seal_? I thought that it would be the latter.