Diablo - I haven't torn apart dozens of engines (only 5 or 6), but I've never seen bearings on the connecting rod. Even if it did have bearings there, shouldn't they be regular bearings or roller bearings? Needle bearings are tapered and seem inappropriate for the con rod. They're more appropriate for the front crankshaft bearing. Is that what you meant? I can't read Italian, but the exploded view of the Campagnucci engine looks like it has dual ball bearings (item #16 & 17).