Steve,


I would say; live with it!

But if it really bothers you, there are several threads in the general discussion area of "Glow Engines", in which I participated, stating the leakage is not a bearing problem.

It is more of a sealing issue, between the crankshaft front rotor and the crankcase.

If your engine can be stopped by cutting the throttle, it cannot be too bad.

If you want to replace the front bearing with a sealed unit, you would also need to install it with silicone RTV, on its outer race (to seal the crankcase) and in the inner race (to seal the shaft).
Otherwise fuel will seep through despite the bearing seal.

Also, contact sealed bearings have a lower RPM limit than open ones.
Make sure the one you get, does not offer a lower limit than the original and that it has the same heat clearance rating (probably C3).