Robert - I'm not really sure.  Brother Gene, back in '65, built an NHRA
rail dragster, "D-Dragster", running a Buick in-line 8-cylinder, with
THREE main bearings and never seemed to have any problems with "flexing"
of the crank, even though he cranked the Buick engine to 6,000 rpm at
the strip!

I just have my doubts about a 1.9 or a 2.1 VW water-cooled having ANY
problems with crank "flexing", unless one is turning greater than 8,000
rpm.

BOB