Could a Electric Reverse Lockout Be Used Stop Oil Accumulation in a Dry Sump Motorcycle Crankcase

Question:

Hi, I restore vintage British motorcycles. Old BSAs and Nortons use gear type oil pumps and dry sumps. When the bikes sit for extended periods the oil from the external tank drains down THROUGH the oil pumps and fills up the sump crankcase. This causes lots of smoke at start-up and can actually damage the engine if it is revd with the crankcase full of oil. To address this problem there are spring loaded anti-drain down valves available that can be installed in the supply line between the tank and the engine. Please see the attached photos. These can fail to operate if the oil on the engine side of the valve drains down leaving air in the supply line between the valve and the pump. So . . . . I am looking for an electrically operated 12 volt, in-line, solenoid type valve that can be used in place of the spring loaded valves. Turn on the ignition, the valve opens. My criteria are: Small size. Approx 1/4inch ID for the oil passage. Larger than brake line ID Preferably spade type push-on hose connections. Ground independent. British bikes were Positive Ground! Yeah, really. Constant on with good life expectancy. Low current draw. Please advise if you have any products that may meet my criteria or that can be modified to meet the criteria. Thanks you!

asked by: Frank D

Expert Reply:

The only product we carry that would come close to doing what you are looking for would be the Replacement Solenoid Valve Electric Lockout part # T4748800 that you referenced. Only problem is that this is for brake lines so it would be smaller than you said you were interested in. Also, this product is threaded on both ends and you said you are looking for push-on style connectors.

This should work with the positive ground as either wire can be used as the ground or power source.

expert reply by: Jameson C