oil cooler check valves?

I am getting everything gathered up for my new build and i got my oil cooler and lines all purchased. The questions i have is... First off, i will be running a lock up clutch and want to install a oil sight glass. So with that being said. I want to run a cooler yet still be able to check my oil level, since it will be a road bike. So i thought about how to keep what oil should be in the cooler in the cooler. So i thought about running a check valves but am not sure if its a good idea. Not sure how many psi they open and close at. And if it will even work like iam thinking. How does everyone else got theres ran? Any and all tips and opinions would be helpful. Thanks, Eric

Mount the cooler with the fittings at the top, will require 90's to get the hoses there. But this keeps the oil in the cooler, some may come back out of the hoses, but only after a long park. Don't see check valves working well, as while one on the say uphill feed to the cooler would work. What about the downhill return line? You need a reverse check there, so it would have to be a solenoid valve. Not to my liking, a electo-solenoid in my oil line.

Ya i wasnt sure either about the check valve idea. I think it probally be easier to just mount it upside down.What does everyone think about running a bypass? good idea? or not? Thanks, Eric

Information is so good. These posts are really helpful for me.

Mount the cooler feeds on the top of the cooler.
This will get oil circulating slightly quicker but nothing that will make a difference.
Advantage is you get a little bit of extra oil capacity but don't forget the oil in there when doing an oil change.
If you really want some form of bypass then fit a thermostat (mocal etc) it will bypass the cooler until the oil gets hot.

i run my lines on top with an inline thermostat. many, many guys run the lines on the bottom though.

www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-13011/?rtype=10

www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=1228

www.racerpartswholesale.com/product/1536/Remote_Oil_Thermostats

If both lines are routed in way that they both go below the oil level in the pan, the cooler won't drain. It doesn't matter having the lines connected to the top of the cooler or to the bottom.

Fill a hose with water, while holding the two ends, lift the hose above the two open ends like this:



The water will not drain out.

As long as both lower bends stay below oil level in the pan, they won't drain.

And yes, there's probably some exception depending on how the oil lines are routed in the motor. But I'm pretty sure the 550's oil cooler's don't drain until you drain the oil out of the motor.

I was just wanting to still be able to check my oil. I will just turn the ends up. I have thought about thermostats but not sure if its really that necessary for protecting engine life. I am just thinking with it being such a big motor it should heat up fast anyway. I was wondering if anyone has or is running a form of oil pressure switch that would automatically kill the engine when it drops oil pressure? I wondered if there was a way to wire it up to the stock oil pressure sensor?

The reason i am running the thermostat, is for cool weather.
it will allow the motor to warm up quicker,and stay warm, as the bypass opens and closes. u can ,and do, get condensation when the motor is run below ideal temps, and that causes grey sludge in the oil.