Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Need Help witha pump Jack Sim

Went to a farm today and am buying a couple of Wayne 80s. As we were wallking back to the house, I noticed an old pump by the fuel barn. Upon closer inspection it is a Bowser 318. It has a globe holder on it. But, when I went to look in Jack Sims' book, the only 318s ar clockfaces. It has the same shape, etc, tag says 318, Varley Patents. The stock number is 32-1620. It looks all original. Did Bowser make an industrial version of it? If so, what might it be worth? It does not have the visi-guage, And to be honest, I didn't see where one would go. Thanks for any help

I don't quite understand your question. Are you saying it doesn't have any meters?
Varley was the manufacturer of the meters used in the 318.
Jack Sim

Hi Jack. Sorry about the lack of info. You are correct, it does not have any meter or a hole of any kind for a meter. It is a square pump. Looks like the original sheet metal. It does have a globe holder. The tag says Bowser 318. I didn't have my camera with me. Any thoughts???

Never heard of this one, my guess is what you already assumed, it is some kind of commercial pump where they didn't need to track the amount of gasoline being dispensed.
Jack Sim
Author of the bible.

Thanks, Jack. Are they worth pursuing, or is there much value in a commercial style pump?

Twenty years ago when I got into this hobby, you couldn't hardly giveaway a commercial pump. Now it seems, I get a number of questions concerning them, maybe it is just that this is all there is left out there (but I doubt this).
Back when I was in the car hobby, there was always someone who liked and restored a Nash from the 50s, I don't know why, it was probably the first car they found.
This could possibly be true of commercial pumps now. All speculation.
Jack Sim

Alex if it is a good price I would get it. If you don't want to keep it let me know, I may be interested. Richard

Thanks everyone. Richard. Will keep you in mind if it comes to that. They are still usinn it and would need to replace it with a working pump.

Almost all pumps are worth pursuing. I might not be around, but the day will come when there are no 30's, 40' & 50's pumps to be found.

Althrough the upper sheetmetal LOOKS original, it might have been replaced when/if the meter quit. IF, it is indeed a commerical 318, there should be a tag with a Fig. # [BOWSER did not use Model #'s on early pumps].
DB

I will see the pump again on Saturday and take pictures. It has the original tag on it. It has the model number on the tag and a stock number. Will get pictures. Thanks

Sorry for the delay in getting pictures of this. I recehceked the tag and it does say "Figure 318". The sheet metal comes apart at the seams and it is complete, just not put together. Is this pump worth pursuing and how much would you pay? They are still using it. Said it has been there for over 55 years.




[This message has been edited by Alex (edited 03-05-2006).]

Looks to me that the top skins are gone and the rest is there.This would be a easy one to complete.They sell the top skins and almost everything else for the clock,you just have to find one of them.If you didnt want to spend big money on original clocks mechanisms just build a frame that the faces and hands will bolt to,it will look real then.Definately worth money!

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NOT A COMMERICAL PUMP.
As sslick68 said, the upper sheetmetal & mech. is missing [Hubba had one like it-out bid me on ebay].
DB

Hi. The other skin is there, just not attached. The skins have no opening for a clock face. What do you guys think it is worth??

[This message has been edited by Alex (edited 03-05-2006).]

OK, I am confused. What is missing? The other sheet metal on the left is there, just laying on the ground. What else is missing? Please be specific as I am not as knowledgable as you guys.

[This message has been edited by Alex (edited 03-05-2006).]

Is the top part what's missing?? I thought what I was looking at was the top of the pump and that it had a globe holder.

http://www.vintagegas.com/cgi-bin/emAlbu...ey%20Sentry.jpg

This is what the complete pump looks like.
Dick

[This message has been edited by Dick Bennett (edited 03-06-2006).]

Ok. I think I got it now. Are the top parts reproduced? And what would you pay for justthe bottom portion?

Alex I could be wrong but it lookis like they cut the legs off the upper portion and moved the top down to the top of the bottom part of the pump. You will have to extend the legs again. The upper skins, face bezel, price bezel, clock faces, hands, and Universal sightglass are all repoped. The nozzle receiver is the only thing that I'm not sure is repoped. It will take a little work but they are a nice pump when they are done. I would not pay over $100 for the pump as is. Just my opion. Richard

I think that where the top is right now is where the upper sheet metal would bolt on,then the top would go back on top of that.Someone probably took the clockface out and upper sheet metal off.?

Alex..get that pump. Dick Bennett is right...mine looked almost exactly like yours when I bought it. Mow it looks like this:

with a lil work and some repop parts..that one can look like mine too. I posted how in one of the restoration of the month threads. I got my upper skins from Seth at Vics..He made a short run of them..he may have a set left..give him a call. They fit perfect. Go get it..the castings are the hard part and they are already there...I cant remember what I paid for my pump..i think like 2 or 3 hundred. Good luck, let us know if you get it and what pics of it restored.


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Hubba: GAS GEEK , OIL FREAK and humble moderator

There is NO frame in the upper section, only the pipe for the visi & conduit [not needed] will have to be extended.
DB

Hubba,
You paid LESS than $200 for it.

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**PUT A LID ON IT**
1qt CAN RE-LIDDING

[This message has been edited by Dick Bennett (edited 03-06-2006).]

You guys are great. Thanks for all the help. Am going to call Seth for some costs and availability of parts. I am also getting a price for a replacement pump and installation costs for them. They are still using this pump and it needs to be replaced.

Check with your local bulk oil distributor for a replacement pump.
GOOD LUCK
DB

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**PUT A LID ON IT**
1qt CAN RE-LIDDING