To endorse GB, the only thing about Hepolite rings today is the name. Any implied link with our beloved rings of old can be treated with the contempt it deserves, the greasy finger packaging is yet another lip service to an earlier time. Any package received today from a motor factor that bears greasy fingerprints is a sure sign the item has been out and back from the guy who ordered it, only to find it was the wrong part. Goes on all the time in the trade, and some terms of business for suppliers state that they will accept returns, but by the same token you as a trade customer must accept goods in opened packages and otherwise soiled condition.
So how do you tell what's what?
Hepolite was the brand name of Hepworth and Grandage, piston ring manufacturers who consolidated into Associated Engineering when they acquired the other major UK Piston Ring Manufactures, COVMO and Wellworthy Milemaster were two of note, and these two were O.E. Suppliers to the UK Motor industry. These brands turn up from time to time and quality wise are first class. You could say the original Hepolite reputation was founded on these three companies.
All packaging of this old school stuff carries model applications which will have a date. As an example to hand, a Milemaster set for a 66mm bore A7 says BSA Type 66mm/2.5984" +030" L4550, this latter is the catalogue reference. So you know these are genuine and made no later than 1957, as the A7 continued for another 5 years in that bore and piston configuration. Genuine Hepolite/AE packs are labelled in the same way, and sometimes carry the phrase "Suitable for" to imply these are aftermarket parts, even tho' the self same components were supplied to the original manufacturer.
Hepolite livery styles changed over the years, yellow and green were the early corporate colours, but the AE Logo appears proudly on later old school genuine product. AE were also eventually owned by Turner and Newell, suppliers of Gaskets, and it was the asbestos used and the resulting industrial injuries claims that resulted in their demise and the Hepolite Brand eventually being bought up by Wassell, along with the winged piston logo and strapline. If it looks modern but doesn't bear AE logo on the packing, it is not the Hepolite of old. Early rings come in individual paper envelopes, later 1970's sets come packed in vacuum sealed film on card backing. All have comprehensive fitting instructions, together with a leaflet detailing the type of rings and their position on the piston and a packer's reference slip in case of complaint. Good luck with that, then.
As regards suitability, sure you take a chance with 50 year old ebay or jumble stuff, but I would be far happier with a set of slightly tarnished 1950's NOS rings than something from Wassells, by all accounts the cause of more oil burning problems than any other brand.
Swarfy
