[Russ Noble]

Mesa,

I didn't try to get a response from ARE. The logistics of returning a sump from half way round the world make the exercise self defeating. Also I believe ARE knew this was a faulty unit and took the opportunity to unload it to the other side of the world.

The photos are of the sump exactly as it arrived. Note in Pic #1 that someone has written 1/8 on the face where the 3mm gap is. 3mm = one eighth inch! The coincidence and placement is telling.....I'm sure 1/8 refers to the gap. They knew alright. Chances therefore of a refund are pretty dim since they appear to have deliberately stitched me up.

Several weeks after my sump was dispatched a derogatory comment about ARE was posted on another forum but no details other than the comment that their sump was a POS.

None of this necessarily means that what you have ordered from them will not be right, you are close enough to be able to sort out any problems. However, if I was you I would pick the sump etc up personally and take with you an engine block and some attachment capscrews and a set of feeler gauges to check it before you pay for it.

I've been lucky with my build, this is really the only instance where I have been supplied something from overseas that has been unusable. New Zealand is the best place in the word to live and experiences like this are just a minor downside that I can offset against all the advantages and enjoyment of living here!

Hope everything works out OK for you.

Cheers