rod bearing help ???????

[ivlakeman]

Just took a 1999 2.5 150 xr6 down had the plastic cage bearing and the crank look like it just came out of the box new and nowhere had the plastic cage touched the rod are crank like the metal cage does so whats the pros and con on the two got new metal cage bearings to put back in it but thinking maybe the old ones because how nice the crank was and have found a new set of the plastic cage bearings so what do you think

[Hydrodreams]

You want the steel cage bearings. The plastic caged bearings will crack and come apart letting the rollers move leading to failure. Make sure to grease the with marine bearing grease before install. Good luck and have fun!

[Capt.Insane-o]

Vaseline...never ever use wheel bearing grease.

[rgsauger]

How about using assembly lube on the bearings? That ok?

[Markus]

Maybe. Vaseline is better, because it contains no metal soap and will dissolve immediately in gasoline.

[ivlakeman]

You want the steel cage bearings. The plastic caged bearings will crack and come apart letting the rollers move leading to failure. Make sure to grease the with marine bearing grease before install. Good luck and have fun!

three of the main bearing are plastic cage ???????

[tlwjkw]

don't take tha poundin'..... a different composition .

[Merc 2.5]

How about using assembly lube on the bearings? That ok?

Either Vaseline or needle bearing grease from merc, Promarine or omc has it , but nothing else
Also if u will put it in freezer and let it thicken up it holds better for assembly, also u wanna use absolute little as possible

[Merc 2.5]

three of the main bearing are plastic cage ???????

The crank bearing will be plastic caged also , nothin u can change with that , but rod bearings need to b metal , like stated above , plastic ones can destroy a motor , also the ethanol now eats the plastic up after awhile, no need take a chance

[NoRdO]

Does anyone ever use non caged bearings in these motors? I've rebuilt a couple seadoo rotax two strokes that had non caged wrist pin bearings. Harder to assemble but you get twice as many rollers that way...

[rgsauger]

Does anyone ever use non caged bearings in these motors? I've rebuilt a couple seadoo rotax two strokes that had non caged wrist pin bearings. Harder to assemble but you get twice as many rollers that way...

Interesting question.....

[ivlakeman]

Looks like all I need is a trip to the Dollar Store for some rexall petroleum jelly LOL... I used the old mercury mixing oil (not synthetic) very tacky oil someone told me about a shop that used it on new rebuild for a 5 hr tank run just above idle break n then ready for synthetic and wide open but don't think my old 2.5 would make with the wh-20 carbs in a 5 hr tank idle

[powerabout]

Interesting question.....

OMC went crowded wrist pins when oil injection came out.
You get more bearing surface but increased roller to roller friction
I think its a ski boat versus drag boat choice

[omcforever]

I use a mix of vaseline and 2 stroke oil,,,,