Upright Gearbox Bearings - Sealed or Not?

Afternoon everyone,

I have turned attention to my '48 ES2's gearbox and ordered more parts than I can afford. Some of the parts have started arriving in the mail. Yesterday I received replacement bearings and all three of them are of the sealed variety.

I have read a lot of opinions on this topic however before I commit to installing them I thought it wise to post for recent advice on here:

As I see it the options are:

1. Don't use sealed bearings as Mr Norton didnt use them so why should I.

2. Use the sealed bearings as they arrived with seals intact. Relying on the "high quality" modern manufacturing to ensure the grease/lubricant packed at the factory will be good for KMs of use.

3. Use the new bearing but remove one or both of the seals to allow the oil from the gearbox to bath/clean the bearing.

It turns to a discussion over what is better, having a sealed bearing churn in its own debris or using a bearing that gets bathed in the debris from all the workings of the gearbox.

And we musn't forget the possible cooling implications.

Anyone have any words of wisdom for me?

Cheers

Bryon