Old vs. New Piston pin bushing

[khanh.le]

I've been rebuilding my hydro N/A 1.6 and ordered replacement piston pin bushings.

There was an interesting difference, the connecting rods have a oil hole drilled through the piston end and a corresponding hole in the bushing. 

Here's a reference drawing of what I'm talking about:  http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/As4F6sgkpD8ms4xxbEK_uQ?feat=directlink

These are the new Mahles:  http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fJbUsPlUru7LrYRciBbYmw?feat=directlink

I assume that there's a oil lubricating/cooling reasoning behind this, but...is it necessary?  I don't see any replacements for the old style from several (Myke_W, AZAutohaus, etc.)

This is my first post, but I've been reading and building.  Hopefully I'll have some real progress to share.  Thanks and happy holidays

Khanh

[rabbid79]

Have you talked to Myke W. about the ones he sells and how they might compare to stock?  He seems very knowledgeable.  Since it's on the top of the rod, I'm not sure how much splashing oil it might receive anyway.  I suppose you could look at it from the standpoint that with a hole there, there's actually less bearing material and more wear?

Something that I noticed about the stock bushings on my TD:  They appear to be "seamless".  All of the after-market ones have either a straight seam like the Mahle one in your picture, or a seam that looks like it locks, kind of like a jigsaw puzzle.  Anybody else notice that?