Pilot Bearing Opinion: Needle vs Solid

[RuralRoute C-30]

When given a choice for a pilot bearing is there any opinions on needle vs solid? Either one better than the other?

Here is an example of what the books don't tell you and my common sense failed to tap me on the shoulder to suggest I look closely or ask someone. There is a front and back to these bearings. Duh! (I didn't 'think'.)

So today my humility and I are paying for my mistake, or should I say for learning from "experience". Not the first time, won't be the last I am sure!

Now I get more "experience" to replace a new one for not paying attention to the tapered front vs back of the bearing and in the process learned how not to install it. I mushroomed the darn thing in the process and the alignment tool won't slide in.



Since I don't want to waste a day driving for parts I have two today with the option to return the one not used.

Going to try to beat the heat and get this done this morning after chores but this is the only thing holding this clutch job up. Everything else is ready to go. (dime holding up a dollar!)

Any advice is welcome.

Mark