Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Tokheim/Richfield questions

Hi,
I am new to all of this and am about to restore a 1954 Model A Tokheim pump. I have done some research and luckily stumbled upon this site. Can someone help answer these questions:
The pump is presently painted red and it has a Texaco Fire Chief decal on the door. However it has ad glass that says "Richfield" under the glass so am wondering if the pump was originally Richfield. Any opinions?
1. Does it matter if I restore the pump as a Richfield or as a Texaco? My inclination is to go with whatever the pump originally was.
2. I have read on other sites that only the shell is collectable. Is it really ok to strip the pump of its guts?
3. I am unable to find a picture of the same make and vintage pump painted in Richfield colors. If I go with Richfield blue and yellow, what is the color scheme (what gets painted blue, what gets painted yellow)?
Thank you all in advance for any advice. Great site!

Welcome to Oldgas.com Shop Talk

1. We usually recommend that you restore the pump as you would like it. Doing it accurately to a brand and color scheme that was used when the pump was in service is a plus, but not a requirement. Most old gas pumps seem to have had various brands and paint jobs over the years.

2. We usually recommend that you take out the electric motor and pump to reduce weight and gas smell. On older gas pumps with manual or air operated systems, the pump mechanism should be retained to preserve the special features and give a place to mount the pump handle.

3. Take a look at Richfield pumps in our Gas Pump Album. The pictures there may or may not be historically accurate as far as company color schemes. The Guide to Gas Pump Restoration has over 1000 pictures of accurate color schemes for vintage pumps. 1950s Richfield pumps shown there have yellow doors and dark blue sides and top.

Post a photo of your pump here. Click on "Help" at the very top of this page to see how.

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Jim "Oldgas" Potts
Your host and moderator

[This message has been edited by Oldgas (edited 12-17-2006).]

Jim is right. Do the pump as you wish and take out everything on the inside that is not needed which is usually everything below the computer or meter. Your pump model number is probably not correct as I have never heard of a Tokheim model A. It is probably a 300 or 39. Have fun with it and make lots of notes when you take it apart. You will need it when you put it back together.

Keith

Welcome to the site Vermonter. Here is a link, to a recent restoration feature that I did.
http://www.oldgas.com/shoptalk/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001409.html

Its not the type of pump that you have, but I believe that there are a lot of good tips in here. Some of the steps can be improved upon, but this was written as "An affordable restoration". Check it out, post pictures, ask questions, and get ready for the madness..... Welcome aboard.

WELLCOME
Here's a link to vendors & resto supplies. http://www.oldgas.com/search/Vendors_New_or_Reproduction_Pump_Restoration_Parts.html

I'm guessing that you have a TOKHEIM 39-A, manufactured 1952-1956. Which has the spinner in the top of faces & stainless hose guards [where hose would rub the sides of pump].
db

See if your pump looks like WORKMAN1953's pump in his link to pictures. http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o275/workman1953/

Welcome,VT'er, I'VE been through Tinmouth a couple of times,beautiful place,you know the guy with the repair shop with the 56' chevy out front?

Wow
I cant believe all the responses I got. Thanks to everyone for the info and advice. What a great website, I just might get hooked on this. Ill try to respond to your questions:
Oldgas, I tried to post a photo several times but that site didnt work. I will try again tomorrow.
Keithia, You are correct. I meant to type its a Tokheim 39-A. The id tad says Model 39-A. The serial number ends in 1954, so I am assuming thats when it was manufactured.
Dick Bennet, its similar to those pics, but not exactly. I will try again to post a pic tomorrow.
Racemad, Glad you enjoyed Tinmouth while passing through. There are 2 repair shops in town, but I dont recall either having a 56 Chevy. One guy restores old T-birds, so I bet it was at his place.
Thanks again to everyone. I have a feeling I can count on you guys for more info as I proceed. I intend to take pics and post them on here. Im sure the job wont be perfect, and the pump isnt worth much, but I like restoring things and preserving history.
Vermonter
Tinmouth vt

ThunderII
I took some time to read about your restoration. Thanks for the link to your page. It answered a bunch of questions I was going to post so now I wont have to waste anyones time. Nice job!
I am planning to do most of the work except sandblasting and painting. I have some info on paint but is there anything I should tell the guy about sandblasting or painting it? He is a body man, but anything specific he should know? Also, there are some dents which I was going to tell him to bang out as best he can.
Thanks again.
Vermonter

Cut air pressure down, so as NOT to warp panels.
Buy your decals/signs & globe 1st, then have paint MIXED TO MATCH those items.
TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES when disassembling, they will come in handy later.
db

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** NEED A LID ? **
FREE DENT REMOVAL, CAN DO
W/ 4oz., 1 qt., Imp. qt, 6 1/2" dia.Gallon & 5qt Re-lidding. Solid or slotted bank lids.

Hello and welcome to the club. If you are going to have the pump sandblasted it is important to remove the Texaco sticker first. If this is not done, the sheetmetal my warp really bad. I use to be a sandblaster, and I have seen this happen. You can use a putty knife or a razor blade to scrape off the stickers.

Thanks Mike,
I hope to get a start on it Friday and will remove the sticker before it goes to the sandblaster. Ive decided to gut it also based on the advice ive recieved here. Cant decide on the color and brand to paint it though! Lots of choices and some cool colors. The pump came with the house (old farm) and the prior owners going way back are named Phillips, so Im thinking of going with Phillips brand.
I must be an idiot, but the program to post a pic is really complicated. Im used to one click "upload" and its done. Ive tried several times and cant get it to work, so Ill ask one of my kids to do it so you guys can take a look

Don't feel bad Vermonter. I read how to post pictures and was so confused. It finally took Mick on the phone to walk me thought it. I have trouble reading and doing.
I really like the Phillips brand too. And of course the Polly is cool. Oh, and the Shell. Don't forget the Gilmore. And then the Husky and, You get the picture. They are all neat. The best part is this is your pump and it will turn out good no matter which way you go. Chevron Supreme all the way!
Mike
[img=http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/1673/im000564jm3.jpg]

See I goofed it up. Let's try the picture again, Mike
[img=http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/1673/im000564jm3.jpg]