Rick,
An interesting thought on the sealed bearing (or bearing with seal?). A bearing is a bearing, if the dimensions are correct. It would have to be thinner to accommodate a seal. Paul did mention earlier that the throw-out bearing gets it's lube from the weeping, but...I don't know if a throw-out bearing needs much lube. Interesting thought. I remember having a booklet from something like "Chicago Bearing" that had all kinds of dimensions and sizes available, and I also remember replacing a bearing in a Shop Smith multi-tool with a much cheaper better bearing from an Arctic Cat Snow Machine. The guy at the Napa store spent a lot of time digging to find the right dimensions. I guess the worst that could happen would be a growling throw-out bearing.
I was pondering why a seal wasn't placed in the bearing retainer. I guess if someone could get really cute in a machine shop, it might be possible to cobble that together. Food for thought. I gotta' go sit cross-legged with my tongue in just the right place and ponder some more on this.
Paul, I don't know if I know the beast better than you, but I have been with it for a few years.
