Schaeffler Technologies AG - a global automotive manufacturer of high-precision products and systems for engines, transmissions and chassis applications,like bearings - was named a 2012 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award winner for its UniAir fully variable valve lift system during an award ceremony held April 23 in Detroit. Schaeffler was one of 16 companies honored with the prestigious award that "new departure bearings"  recognizes automotive suppliers for superior innovation, technological advancement.

 

According to Automotive News, this award recognizes automakers that do an exceptional job of collaborating with a supplier to develop an innovation in an effective way. 

Additionally, the FAG company, together with Fiat Powertrain and the Chrysler Group, received an Innovation Partnership Award in recognition of their collaboration in the development of the system.The timing of the oil pressure required to open the engine valve is managed by a fast-switching solenoid valve. By controlling this oil pressure, the solenoid valve controls the shape of the valve lift curve such that early or late valve opening and/or closing is possible. Additionally and for the first time in mass production, the UniAir system bearing  facilitates the opening and closing of engine valves several times during one camshaft revolution. 

 

The innovative system was honored in the product category, which recognizes innovations in new products, components or systems like bearings that have significant market impact and act as "game changers" in the automotive industry. The UniAir technology is a cam-actuated, electro-hydraulic valve train system that can be used in gasoline and diesel engines. With this system, a valvetrain component displaces oil in a gallery that pushes against the engine valve causing it to open

I don't think you'll find a "normal" roller bearing to replace the B52 inner bearing on the old car hubs. At least I couldn't find any when I was looking for them for my trucks. But on the bright side the ball bearings work fine, I have several original New Departure nsk bearings in my 50s trucks, so they've been going strong for 50 yrs. I know it's nice to upgrade, but lately I'm getting the hamb mentality of only upgrading stuff that really needs it. wheel bearings are not in that category.

If there is a decent bearing supply place around, you can usually take it to them to get a cross-reference. Just be sure to give them a call to make sure they carry automotive style bearings before you drove to the next town and find out thy only have industrial bearings.

I took the wheel bearings from Slide Jr's pedal car to a bearing place here in Dallas, and matched them up with some sealed berings rated for up to 14,000 RPMs! If you hit them at a time when they're not swamped, they'll usually work with you. If you have the spindles and/or hubs off the car anyways, bring them with you as well.

since everyone is on the subject of bearings, is there any advantage to switching to the '61 -'64 rearend in my '60 Chevy car ? Like Rottenikken said, the rear axels are the same from 59 - 64. However you can change the bearings to big Ford 9 inch bearings, but this requires custom made axel shafts and new axel housing ends. Moser makes new axel ends for 12 bolt Chevys, to replace the Chevy bearings and c - clips, with Ford bearings and axel retainers. The 12 bolt axels have the same bolt pattern for the backing plates as 55 -64 Chevy axels. So. you could use the Moser ends and Ford iko bearings and still use the 60 Chevy backing plates and drum brakes. But you would have to get custom axel shafts made. I did this with a 60 Pontiac axel to adapt 59 Chevy drums to the Pontiac ( could't find good Pontiac brake drums or backing plates). The Moser axel shafts were about $400 a pair. The cost of the whole job including axel ends, narrowing the Pontiac axel all machine work was about $750. 

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