Quote Originally Posted by Moby Duck View Post
If you want to sleeve it, then Sintered Bronze is the way to go. If possible buy the sleeve in a size to fit your steel shaft, and avoid reaming the internal diameter. Buy pre-impregnated with oil, or impregnate under a vacuum, and you should never have to oil it again.
Absolutely. Sintered, like casting isn't dense like rolled material. Reaming. closes off most of the pores [burnishes], blocking capillary action needed to convey lubricant. Even boring, a little too much radius in cutting edge pushes swarf in pores.

I don't have easily accessed fan motors in my home heating furnaces. They don't seem to add oilers anymore. In 15 years, 3 ate their bushings...winter time no less.
This weekend I'm pulling one to replace. Thinking about machining new end bells with decent sealed ball bearings. Might have to sleeve to a standard ID, width less of an issue. If so, I'll dowel two discs, clamped by same holes holding motor together, and bore bearing housings. Ends get block off plates.
I shouldn't have to look at them ever again. Ever?, thank you!