I just ran across this article on the pending bankruptcy of
Federal-Mogul, one of the largest bearing manufacturers in the world.
http://www.auto.com/industry/iwirf16_20001216.htm

Certainly part of the reason they aren't making "slow moving" bearings
like the over sizes for the waterboxer.
--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)

Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
'68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT