Atomic Four engines fitted with direct drive marine gears use a ball bearing with a “Z” designation for the rear thrust bearing. Can I use a regular ball bearing without the shield?
The Z designation in the bearing model number means the bearing has a shield on one side of the race. Shields are non-contact metal or plastic covers which allow for high speed operation by restricting (not stopping) the oil spray in the gearbox from flooding the bearing, so the bearing should be installed with the shield facing the front of the engine. The shield also restricts (not stops) oil flow to the rear flange oil seal at the rear of the bearing. Fitting a bearing without a shield allows the full volume of oil spray to reach the bearing and seal, which can cause the bearing to receive too much oil and the rear flange seal to leak.
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