NOS stuff is still out there. I’d be inclined to think some of the NOS “off-brand” (but still US made) bearings might be better quality than the “name-brand” stuff of today that’s offshore production.
That said, I do think a fair amount of engine bearings are still made in the US. Recently did some shopping for a SBF and was surprised. I cannot speak to specifics, but I know that some recognizable brands are doing production both onshore and offshore. As for who makes 235 bearings and in what country, that would be a little research project of its own.
Having typed all that, for a stock-ish 235….that doesn’t need a line bore or a crank straightened or whatever….I suspect almost anything would work just fine. It’s not like you’re going to turn a bunch of RPM. An inline 6 by nature isn’t going to be subjected to the same kinds of imbalances and block twisting that a v8 would. And a 235, among inline 6’s, is a beefy casting with all kinds of extra heft all over the place.
(That last paragraph is especially scant on data and long on educated conjecture)
Last edited by JW51; 09/05/2025 5:58 PM.
