Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Tokheim 870 w/ledge & tapered skins

Thanks to Morgan, Seth, and Ron for previous replys about parts. This Tokheim 870 has a decorative ledge at the "waistline" and the skins taper from about 14.5" from underneath the top plate to about 16.5" at the cast base. I've only seen straight silouetts (sp?) in books and literature. All other details and decorations appear to be the same. Does anybody know or can speculate whether the ledge and taper features were an option, an early or late model in the series, or at all unique/rare?

I have color pictures of the 870 and the 870A with a waist line and without. These pictures are both from original literature and also a picture of a pump from a collection. I doubt they were an option, and since both the 870 & the 870-A have the waist, I also doubt they are an early or late version. It appears they just made them two ways. As far as rare, I would say that all 870s are somewhat rare.

Brian, my literaure shows the 870 as the straight sided pump and 870-A with the "sectional" housing. Here's a couple of quotes from the sales brochure.
"The New Model Tokheim 870 Positive Displacement Type Meter Pump is built primarily for those who seek a pump lower in price, yet endowed with the Dependability and Accuracy which is characteristic of Tokheim Pumps." Taken from Bulletin 275

"Other than in style of housing, the Tokheim 870-A is identical to the Tokheim 870 Positive Displacement Meter Pump- the detailed description of which is given in our Bulletin No. 275." This is taken from Bulletion 276.

Hope that helps... The bezels should be back in stock this week... Ron

[This message has been edited by Ron Scobie (edited 05-22-2001).]

Excellent replies, Jack/Ron, and I'll follow with emails requesting copies of literature for sale or otherwise. I remain perplexed about the taper of the skins which measure about 14" wide at the very top to about 16" wide at the very bottom. It would make a difference in aquiring reproduction skins. Can anyone verify this fact/feature from either the literature or from physical experience?

Brian, you might call Andy at Gas Pump Heaven or Seth at Vics and check the top and bottom measurements with them. Could be you could take the solid panel repo skins they sell and cut them to fit with your waistline style pump. Might have to add a couple of latches depending on where that casting falls.

Might also take original panels (if you have them) to a sheetmetal shop and ask them to duplicate them. I've had that done on a couple of 870's and they turned out nicely. They used a plasma cutter to make the face and other cut outs. I reattached the original latches.

Hope you will post a picture of this when you get it completed!! Thanks and good luck.

[This message has been edited by Morgan (edited 05-22-2001).]