ORIGINAL: Magneto
The bearing on the bottom end of the rod is uncaged rollers. I have thought about putting a ball bearing in the mount at the rear to deal with the side thrust.
is the rod 2-piece with bolts holding it together or one piece?
a ball bearing to take thrust load would be better at the front...BUT all the old quadras and curent US engines 35-42cc engines get by just fine with rollers on both end of the crank and (at least on the quadra) a brass/bronze thrust washer.
dave