yes the hardened surface would be removed, as well as being entirely too small. That is why I am asking if there is enough room to install a bearing that incorporates an inner race, I just don't know if anything exists for the '53, Dave says to '50(?) which isn't '53......hope Dave sits down to the board and starts having coffee soon. Maybe there is an undersize, (oversize?) bearing that can be used on a turned down axle? It wouldn't be a real difficult thing to have the area hardened again I couldn't imagine. Like I always say there is more than one way to skin a cat, none of which the cat cares for.
