21253 Pistons

[ChrisS]

There have been a few engine rebuild questions lately and I thought I would see what people have to say about these. They are Hypatec 21253 pistons which look identical to the AE 21253 pistons that I’ve gotten from 7 Enterprises and APT except these have drilled oil return holes instead of the slits. Pin heights are the same as well. I haven’t put them on a scale yet to compare weights but they look like they would weight the same. The best thing is these only cost $170 AUD or about $135 USD. Even with shipping they are a lot cheaper that the AE’s. I’ll see how they hold up in the engine I’m building now. So, does anyone have any experience with these?

 

[aeronca65t]

No experience but I kind of like the drilled return holes. I'll be buying pistons for the 1275 in a while (after the Escort project is sorted out), so I'll be interested in hearing how they work.
Who's the vendor for these?

 

[ChrisS]

I got them from Minisport in South Australia. They come with Hastings rings.

 

[jlaird]

Oh me, Chris is building a new engine.

 

[GB1]

Chris

What specs are you building this one too?

Patrick

 

[ChrisS]

I have a few blocks that are already 0.060” over so this one will go to .094” over (1330cc) with an APT SPVP4 cam, Isky lifters and fast road springs and a set of the Harland Sharpe 1.3 roller rockers that we were talking about in another thread. ARP hardware all around. I’ve got a lightly scored crank that I may try to wedge, otherwise I’ll just polish a stock one. Normal machine work on the block, Cooper S valves and a little off the head to bump the compression. I have a Howley manifold so I think I may try an HIfF44 car if I can locate one reasonably. This engine won’t be very streetable but it should be fun once it gets wound up.

 

[dklawson]

I bought AE-21253s when I rebuilt the Mini's 1275. I got mine from Mini Spares U.K. While I like buying from the U.S suppliers, the AE pistons were about $250 with shipping (at the time) from the U.K. and they were about $300/set plus shipping from U.S. sources. A set of four today runs about $240 from the U.K. and over $360 from Mini Mania.

I've been happy with the AE pistons. I'd have been even happier to get the Oz pistons for half what I paid. I'm not pushing my car hard so I'd guess either brand would have been good for my street engine.

 

[JerryB]

Observations......

the Hypatec piece on the left looks like it has more compression height than the AE piece.

The oil ring on the AE piston should get the flotation test....one piece oil rings went oun with the Titanic sinking.

Oil return holes arent that critical and drilling round holes is easier.

These are probably cast or low Silicon content and will be fine for street or Quasi race use.....and the price reflects it. Way low ring packages can be improved upon but still in all fine for street use. I believe these come out of Taiwan...but their decent.

"Comes with Hastings rings......" the iron ring set is $50.....three piece oil ring.