I was just wondering if anyone has purchased a new 16H oil pump from Andover Norton? I'm planning to buy, but would love to hear from someone who has already taken the plunge.

I haven't had one...Not much use for my M20...

However, I did quite a bit of work on a Commando that a friend restored and most of the parts came from (and were manufactured by) Andover Norton...

It was all good quality stuff...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

My friend recently fitted one of Andover Norton's singles pump in an ES2 restoration and is delighted with it. It's the same pump as the 16H.

email (option): petemcd@aol.com

Ian, I had to read your post twice! Mr. BSA working on a Norton! It must have been a slow week at the shop!

They've assured me the pumps are all manufactured in England and machined to high standards, it's just nice to get a bit of feedback from others as it is not an inexpensive little toy. All I have heard so far indicates they seem to be very nice. Thanks for the feedback guys.

['I had to read your post twice! Mr. BSA working on a Norton! It must have been a slow week at the shop!']....

Really I like them all...Don't forget I own two Triumphs (TRW, 1970 T120R) and a Harley Ferguson (Sportster)...

Saying that, working on the Triumphs always reminds me of how much better the BSAs are...and I'm selling the Sportster in the Spring... ..Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

I was also waiting for some feedback, but main important thing is, do they stop wet sumping??

Is there a Norton forum, where this is discussed somewhere?

Price at Andovers is 183.50 with the current exchange rate, quite a chunk of money, so more reviews would be hanbdy.

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbXXX.net (think about this!)

My original NOS reconditioned pump only wet sumps if the bike is left unstarted for over 12 months. Andover Norton are a top notch firm so I would expect at least the same.

Yes, wet sumping is my main issue also. I did ask the question to Andover Norton, their response was that all gear driven pumps will allow oil to seep through and the only sure way to solve it is to install a shutoff or a one way valve, both of which I don't want to do. My bike will loose 3/4 of a tank in a couple weeks which is a real pain in rear when you ride the bike every two weeks. I'm going to purchase one. I think Andover Norton aired on the side of caution in their statement that "all gear driven pumps will allow oil to seep" I would imagine they are just making sure they cover themselves. The performance Keith is getting is exactly what I'm looking for. No, they're not cheap, but an NOS one will cost you that, and I don't think they're nearly as good as these.

Agreed Samuel, A Couple of Royal Enfields I had from new wet sumped but it gradually improved as the bike ran in until after 10,000 it was perfect. I know its a different type of pump but the same might apply.

I would say very good value for money for a new oil pump manufactured today for an obsolete vehicle....

When you consider the various components, heat treatment and machining operations involved in its manufacture, the fact economies of scale don't really apply and that A.N. have to make a profit I wouldn't think too much about the price...

I guess if there was a really 'cheap' one it would come from India and you know what that would mean... ..Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

I think it would mean a seized up engine!

I chatted to Nick at Andover a few years ago when they were looking into getting these made. They go out of there way to make their parts the same as the factory drawings and leave the modified parts to other after market sellers. I know they'll be good quality. I lapped in my 16h old oil pump but it still wet slumped, so I fitted a valve. I'm not sure why people are against them when they were fitted to Velo's as standard. The valve I've got screws into the crank case so is as near the pump as possible. The advantage of the 16h is the oil pressure indicator so you know the valve is working. I've also got one on my ES2 and even when left for a long time the valve has never got stuck, but a quick check in the oil tank will show the oil in returning.

You can just see the valve in the crankcase.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Must admit, I've never found a gear pump which will stop 'wet sumping' - they are simply not designed to seal - however well made they are.

As for inline check valve - no reason they shouldn't be reliable if the oil is clean.

At least the 16H does have a positive indication of oil flow - my '32 ES2 has the original stop-cock/valve on the oil tank and yes i have have forgotten and went something like 5 miles before i felt is slow - quickly remedied by opening the above valve!

At the beginning of this year i felt she was nosier than normal (6th sense really) and discovered the indicator barely lifting.
It turned out the fiber-seal/washer between the cam-cover and the crankcase had failed and little oil was going down the crank-shaft. Again easily enough solved.

With this warm summer - discovered that again the indicator was hardly lifting ..... check above seal, etc. then remembered she was using 20/50 (she usually gets driven in winter) and changed to a straight 40 grade - problem solved.

I do now check the indicator when i set off and at various times on a ride - a handy device.

The pumps for the Norton twins (which have reversed gears compared with the singles) have never really been out of production but quality through the 1970s / 1980s was pretty indifferent and a new pump often little improvement in terms of draining down when compared with an obviously damaged example.

I've been using one of the more recent Andover examples on a Commando for some years now and find it to be a big improvement - months rather than weeks if it's standing still while the 16H is getting all the use.

The singles pumps (WD at least) were mazac bodied with the attendant ageing problems. The current production follow the twins practice and are steel which bodes well for longevity.

The lack of filtration on a WD16H probably does mean that wear will be faster than on a later machine with cartridge filtration.

Well, I bought one, I'll let you all know how it works out! :-)