Unique elastomer bearing replaces needle bearing
McFarlane's elastomer bearing is assembled with tension between the mating surfaces. This tension prevents micro-movement and its related metal erosion. The bearing contact area that transfers vibration motion from the heat box to the butterfly shaft is hundreds of times greater than that of the original needle bearing. This large surface effectively prevents localized metal erosion.
Proven Design
Convenient
The carburetor heat box suffer more from engine vibration than other parts of the engine installation due to the distance of its location from the centre of the engine. Engine vibrations, which are small back and forth movements of the engine about a point of rotation in the engine, become larger and more severe as the distance increases from the centre of these movements. A fraction of an inch of engine movement near the centre of the engine could result in over an inch of movement in an attached component that is located a considerable distance from the centre of the engine. This phenomenon can be visualized by imagining what would happen if a five foot broom handle was solidly attached to an idling aircraft engine. The far end of this broom handle would oscillate wildly back and forth as the engine moved slightly. This is similar to what is happening to the carburetor heat box. Normal engine vibrations are amplified by the distance (arm) from the centre of the engine.
Ordinary needle bearings are not well suited for this high vibration environment as they concentrate the energy of vibration movement to the very small area where the needles contact the heat box butterfly shaft. This concentrated kinetic energy results in metal loss and grooves being worn into the shaft with eventual failure of the bearing system. Needle bearing failure can lead to ingestion of loose needles into the engine induction system and cylinders.
Needle bearings don't work!
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