I will be happy to update this thread with info on how well the new bearing works, and for how long. The info I got from the pattern forum was to get the sealed, stainless bearings, so I'm assuming the sealed ones you leave the seals on, but the shielded ones you remove the shields (for rear bearings).

Anyhow, I've flown the new AX for 2 days now, about 16 flights or so. The last flight had NO hesitation on throttle up, left a nice faint trail of smoke throughout the whole flight, and idled very, very nicely. Also, after flying the entire tank with lots of up lines, the engine returned cool enough to grasp and hold with no unbearable heat.

Awesome engine!