Why reinvent the wheel, when simply making a stronger more robust part. Will, drop in and meet the existing engineering requirement.
Using pillow bearings, would require more than drilling a few holes in the deck. First problem to solve, the chain drive side not shown. The diameter is aprox 4 inches, a pillow bearing having the same ID used for the belt & chain drives. Will require a riser to be built in order to gain the proper clearances.
Second problem to be addressed: the alignment of the two shafts. The one we are talking about and the one that drives the wheels.
What I'm making is a much easier way to rectify the broken casting. It has taken a few hours of machining, and confident when the paint drys, it drops in place and off to the races.
just saying
pep