actually, from all info I've learned from my oldschool pals the factory manual calls for honing the int shafdt bearings in these blocks. I'm told only the federal mogul bearings fit well out of the box, all the german made ones need honed. I just recently had a my machine shop do motor work on my 1.6 td and they used the federal moguls with no problem, engine makes great oil pressure, int shaft turns freely with no play etc.
yeah...this turns freely, don't feel any drag on the shaft its just that you can't spin it like a top and have it go on its own, you must turn it with your hand, etc.
My bearings were Durabonds, already reamed when arrived and they went it like a glove
Joe