I'm going to use new cranks, Sinz (BMX) cranks to be precise. They're 170mm arms (measured center-to-center) and square taper. They cleared everything after I test-fit them (with both old and new BB sets).

Your question got me to thinking though, the bearing cages... granted, they're shot out. Anything wrong with using the bearings without a cage?

I mean, I could probably use a new set of ball bearings, but do I really need the cage? I have a count of 9 original bearings and can fit 11 if I get rid of the cage. Is this a feasible idea, or am I 180-out?

It's an old cup-and-spindle set-up, so theoretically... I should be able to rebuild it as long as the cups aren't bad.

Is this correct?