Uh. . . .RALPH!!!!! (a few slaps, shaking by the shoulders, and a bucket of cold wter thrown onto him. . . )

You're starting to sound like ME, Ralph. . . .better cut that out. . . now get a hold of yourself and have a beer or 6. .

But, point taken, and made very clearly. End-thrust is controlled with ball bearings, or tapered bearings, with high-end loaded shafts actualy using flat "Torrington" style bearings to control thrust (just look inside any automatic transmission) For the most part, the "Thrust" control of a crankshaft is indeed controlled by ball bearings running up against the edge of their races, and they do the job quite well in our engines, no matter WHAT make of engine is used. I have yet to see a "weedie" lose a "thrust bearing", though I've seen almost every make of "designed for the hobby" engine lose a bearing at one time or another.. (Yes, even my beloved BME's. . ) It happens. The "Price issue" comes from manufacturing processes (billet casings versus castings), tighter tolerances, and lower production numbers that always drives prices up, not to mention proprietary designed cylinders specifically for the rpm band and power curve of our model engines (weedies and chainies can hit 8000-9000 rpm all day long and have the powerband to work best. . "up there). There is a tremendous design difference between the two types of gassers . .and the price difference reflects that.