What was found
REAR MAIN BEARING FAILED IN ENGINE BY THE BEARING CAGES DISINTEGRATE. UPON DISASSEMBLY IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BEARING, ONE IGNITION GEAR, AND THE GENERATOR DRIVE PINION WERE HIGHLY MAGNETIZED. THE ENGINE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ALTERNATOR IN PLACE OF THE ORIGINAL GENERATOR. WE HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER INSTANCES OF HIGHLY MAGNETIZED PARTS IN THE ACCESSORY CASES OF ENGINES FITTED WITH ALTERNATORS. IS THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING MAGNETISM WITHIN THE BEARING AND CAUSING IT TO ATTRACT ALL FERROUS PARTICLES, THIS LEADING TO EARLY FAILURE.