Congrats on the luck in keeping the LB running! Either way, I'm sure you could yourself with some advice here, replace any bearing in that engine if need be, much less find another MORE CAPABLE shop to do the work. Would seem to me that any reputable shop with qualified techs could have visually inpsected the blade and told you to replace it before "concurring" that the engine needed a new bearing/s. A blade has to be bent or worn down enough through repeated uneven sharpenings to cast that much vibration through the engine for you to feel it. Anyway, good to hear any revival or renewing of the great-ol-legends that live on! I know I'm totally hooked on em'!

yungman, Your statement about a lean condition from a partially blocked carb causing problems is true and quite common. Usually a lean condition on a governed engine like a mower is apparent from loss of power. Slightly lean conditions may not be so apparent and can cause problems.Your assumption that it is detrimental only to 2 cycle engines is not quite true. Both 2 and 4 cycle engines are affected by lean conditions. An lean carb causes the mixture to burn much hotter just like a cutting torch burns hotter when the oxygen is increased. This heat can damage either 2 or 4 cycle engines in different ways. 2 cycle engines that are too lean can burn a hole in the piston or piston siezure can occur among other things. Four cycle engines that are too lean can burn exhaust valves and seats and possibly overheat and cause the rings to lose their tension. Your statement that people may be "out to lunch" or "doped up" is sad but true. Most of the failures that I see are caused by user neglect or abuse. Other failures that are common are what I call planned failures like ignition coils, soft metal cutting blades that wear too quickly, etc. etc. Manufacturers design acceptable failure rates into certain parts that nobody else makes. CD ignition coils are a good example. They are propritary parts that usually fail a few years out of warranty and cost about triple the money that they should. What manufacturer wouldn't want to sell a $50 ignition coil for every mower they have sold at some point in the future? Sell a million mowers and sell that many coils. What a windfall!! Motorcycle manufacturers are notorious for doing that with all kinds of cd packs, voltage regulators, pulser coils, switches, and relays. Sorry I got a little off track....

Mas: Brings back memories "Klotz" Racing Caster Oil was what I used predominately back in the 70 's & 80's while Racing Snowmobiles , heck didn't realize they still Sold the Oil Products anymore . Probably since I dropped out of the Racing Loop Yrs ago lol . As far as the Older Saws , Mowers and Cutters , I have successfully used 50:1 on most of my current 2-Stroke Equipment other than a few Oldies which were 32:1 and 16:1 on these Units I use 40:1 over the Past 10-12 yrs with no problems . Plug coloration is fine and units Idle and Run full out with no problems. I know of a few buddies who ran into some problems but they were utilizing TCW-3 Marine Rated Oil in Air-Cooled Engines which apparently just did not cut the Temperature Extreme Grade . I agree with all above Posters that with the New Oil Technology the Op should be covered .

Wow. What a great outcome. You two are blessed. Really? What perfect timing!!! 'Mom' has Heart Failure, Afib with renal damage. She has been under the weather for three weeks... Had to run her to hospital for dehydration shortly after my Florida trip. We had an Eco cardio gram last week but still waiting to hear from the Doctor (!!???). She is always confused, doesn't walk well (some days are worse than others) and hates drinking fluids. I have to force her to drink while I stand and watch her. Stroke and dehydration often mirror the same symptoms, as far as I can tell. Can't wait for the Dr to call. I phoned him twice Friday but he didn't respond. I'm frustrated because they canceled her first Cardio gram and pushed it out 9 days. She had it last Tuesday and I have yet to hear anything... We had a gastro bug go through the house Friday and Saturday. I was only able to bark orders to DH. " Make her drink pedalite.,". "Give her water and watch her dink it..." "What color is her urine?". Poor DH. Today she is still dehydrated but holding everything down. Feeding her celery and other water bearing foods along with Smart Water. Sorry to take over the thread but I am wondering if anyone can tell me how to know if it's a stroke or dehydration? It seems dehydration can lead to stroke... Also, she is taking water pills for her heart. Seems like an oxymoron to make her take water pills when she is dehydrated... (So many questions for the absent Dr.)