BSA A65 Spitfire engine overhaul 9 New pistons - and a setback just when things were going so well!

[@hermangibbs8163]

Thanks Paul.

[@zachwrench]

I'm suspect of some parts being sold using old brand names I had a talk with a engine builder here in the states last week about some of the popular renamed products out there. It's became a issue in the hot rod industry also made in the USA on the box but that's not always the case.

[@norsehall309]

G'day Paul, had the same problem when doing up the BSA Lightning thought it was me putting to much pressure when placing the the ring over the piston it snapped in the same place as yours, not good, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.

[@neilmcintosh1200]

Commonplace, and invariably a scraper. I have found many broken in the packet over the years. Hepolite certainly were not immune. I think that is why the Wellworthy style three piece ones eventually became so widely used.

[@jimanderson4981]

I had the same thing happen to me when I was re ringing my 750 Triumph.

[@teegee2556]

It's infuriating they did not immediately send out a replacement. I guess you order lot of stuff from them so they should know. But even if you are a new customer. Serious suppliers/manufacturers don't f**** about with warranty issues on relative cheap items like these. And I bet they had a few of those breaking, they are produced in batches. I think I would be very suspect of the other piston rings, they did not break but... anyway, keep up the good work, I always enjoy your videos, especially A65 related :)

[@oompah_your_dupa]

At least A65 rings are easy to come by. Rings for my A50 are harder to find and a good bit more expensive when you do. Luckily I think I’ve found a set for an Austin Healey Sprite that should work with very minimal filing.

[@shug831]

They should send a replacement SET of rings.

[@ianstewart576]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours Paul. Many thanks for the enjoyment of the years videos, and RANTS. Keep them coming as they do brighten my day.

[@p--n]

Any decent supplier would surrender a ring from one of their sets and then take the issue up with their supplier. If ever there was an advert for buying goods on a credit card, this delay makes the case for it.

[@roberthallas349]

Merry Christmas Paul, thanks for all your videos mate, much appreciated. Cheers. 😎🏍😁👍

[@keithchessun5085]

It could mean that the box is made in England. 🤔🤔

[@andrewslattery403]

Poor tempering of the ring might have left it too brittle to be worked. Better that it break when being gapped rather than in use. Best wishes for Christmas and 2025.

[@geordienufc3132]

If you are a regular customer of that company then surely they know you and trust you and want your future business so sending a ring should be a no brainer.

[@bonnie6501]

On the bright side it's better that the ring let go before it went back together

[@williamnethercott4364]

I've not heard of that happening, there must have been a defect. A replacement set would be in order, in my book.

[@davefrench3608]

That’s a bummer Paul.

[@colinmartin2921]

That happened to me once with a Velocette ring; there was obviously a fault with it, but the shop would not replace it. So you are going to have to swallow the cost of replacement, because you obviously can't bill the owner for it. Bummer.

[@thelatemickb6927]

Are you happy that any of them are good enough to be in your rebuild? What if they crumbled in use? Happy Christmas to you and yours also. L&R

[@PeterTaylor-p4s]

If you have used the supplier quite a bit there should not be a problem. After all your not a novice.

[@pw601]

Looking on the bright side, if there was a defect in the ring, isn't it fortunate that it broke outside the engine, rather than at 3,000 rpm in a rebuilt engine on a shakedown run, before the customer takes delivery.....

[@markberry2969]

Do you know counterfeit goods are all over the place now....could this be one of them? Thanks Paul.

[@bsa_brummie7775]

That's a blow, not worth the cost to get a metallurgy report to check if the material is defective. looks like a case substandard poor quality made parts or a poor batch got through the QA procedure. They should not break at all let alone that easily. I had an issue with some dubious so called Hepolite pistons of modern manufacture?. it will be interesting to see what the supplier comes back with.

[@damiantuttle1348]

Well don't those repro 'Hepolite ' pistons come with rings? Or did you specifically want Areco rings ?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Those rings are the ones which came with the new pistons, but they were in a separate box and not fitted.

[@madeinyorkshire52]

Suppliers just have to take your word for it - that’s the same in most industries - so all this nonsense about not wanting to split a packet to supply one scraper ring is absurd and unacceptable. If it was me I’d be tempted to find another supplier but maybe you don’t have much choice. Name and shame may be in order here.

[@Nakamichi_Service_UK]

Agreed, they were not fit for purpose and should be replaced without quibbling. It’s not as though you are claiming compensation for having to abort a job and waste time because of it!

[@andrewgent5887]

I’ve lost a bit of faith in British made parts these days, …not sure what’s gone wrong, perhaps not enough skilled people in the industry any more.