Yep. Don’t fear needle bearings, fear cheap needle bearings.
Between the rise of cheap parts, bandaids to make cheap parts work, and the misinformation on the internet and social media, the breading-ground has become ripe with confusion.
Once the pinnacle of the very best in extreme racing components, needle bearings have now become frowned upon by Joe Q. Public for use in their lolly pop motors. Crazy.
Not saying that some bushed components are not better, not saying needle bearings never fail. But some folks have become confused in thinking that bushings are good, needles are bad. But guess what, bushings are failing too. Why? Because there are also cheap bushings components out there too.
Certainly not all applications need $1,500 lifters or rockers. But understand well your application, and understand the parts quality totem pole.