nmauduit wrote:I avoid getting any critical parts from B... I consider them as a supermarket, not always bad but the attention to detail I need for my pride and joy: for engine parts I usually go to QED; TTR is also a good source for high specs parts, race proven in many instances (no affiliations with either).
I agree with what's been said that it's difficult for Burtons, QED et al to have full control over all of their suppliers. The test for me is always how they react to the situation when there is an issue. The bad ones will try and fob you off even though they know their customer base is quite knowledgeable as you generally have to be to be able to do work on engines.
As has already been said also it always pays to stick with brand names and you can generally be assured that when brand names are stocked by Burtons, QED et. al they aren't counterfeit.
I would not in my right mind ever purchase the QED branded cylinder head bolts for example when you can purchase ARP from other sources (ARP head bolts aren't stocked by either Burtons or QED)
I once bought a new shortened jackshaft from QED. It wasn't in a branded box but I saw "KC" stamped on the front face and assumed "Kent Cams" and quality. Well on the first one I bought the front journal had not had a final linish after the oil groove had been cut. This left it with very, very small raised burr around the groove. Not knowing this of course when I tried to install the shaft it dug big score marks in the front bearing. Bugger.
I explained this to QED sent the old one back and they sent a replacement no problem. When the replacement arrived I promptly linished the front journal learning from last time and installed it having had another set of cam bearings installed in the meantime. Great I thought.
I then decided to check the end float. I'd installed a new steel thrust plate (they are a couple of thou thicker than the standard item to reduce the end float for better ignition timing control) and lo and behold I find the shaft having a slight bind against the plate in one position. Measuring with feeler gauges I discovered with this jack shaft that the front mounting flange had a .002" wobble hence the binding (The steel thrust plate reduces the end float to around .002" from the around .006" with the standard sintered item) Bugger again!
At this point I told QED I wanted a refund and I was just going to obtain a secondhand OE jackshaft and shorten it. QED were very apologetic about things and gave me a full refund no problem. I have no issues with QED.
Surprise, surprise the end of the story is that I got my hands on an OE jackshaft shortened and it fitted perfectly no problem. No front end wobble whatsoever and perfect .002" end float.