This is not a good sign.  It looks like there may be a Subaru engine in
my future, hopefully very distant future!

Robert Donalds wrote:
>
> Stuart MacMillan wrote
> 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 water boxer.
>
> Stuart and the list
> federal-mogel makes engine bearings and engine parts but they have never
> made bearings for the wbx engine.
> Kolbenschmidt in Germany is the only manufacturer that I am aware of
> that makes main bearings for the 1.9 and 2.1 engines. My suppliers
> report that these bearings have been repeatedly back ordered. they also
> told me that they do not find out that the bearings are not in the order
> until it arrives and the bearings are not included. When It became clear
> to me that the supply of bearing was drying up I started buying the ones
> I could find.
> I have a small supply of std /std main bearings for the 2.1 engines and
> no 20case/std main bearings for the 1.9 engines. My remaining supply of
> bearings are not for sale but will be used to build my complete
> longblocks. I dont know that I will do when my supply runs out. I am
> currently tooling up and in the near future will be able to aliegnbore
> the 1.9 and 2.1 blocks. There is no shortage of 20 case/std main
> bearings for the 2.1 engine
> I will post a note to the list when the bearings are availible again.
> Bob Donalds
> http:/www.bostonengine.com

--
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