Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Gutting

I see post were guys find pumps to resale and gut them. Why does everyone do this? I like my pumps to have the guts. I'm sure others do too. If your going to resale it why not leave it up to the buyer.

The guts are really heavy and have no real value. No one will ever use it for what it was intended for again. Most people just want a pump that looks cool, and that's it. Why add 250+ pounds to a restored pump. Also, the guts stink, and will leak old fuel. You'll never be able to get all the old gas out. Why do all the extra work of fixing up the guts when they add nothing to the finished product.

I think that that may be OK on a Very, Very rare pump, but all these common pumps are really nothing but lawn ornaments anyway.
As stated, I really hate it when you move one and it spills old gas or diesel all over and you have a mess to clean up!
If you want to buy pumps with the guts in them, I think all you'd have to do is advertise for the brand and model you want, and someone will find it for you.

They're not like Hot Rods, They'll NEVER be used to pump gas again.
As a seller, IF your taking a load to a swap meet, you can haul 3-4 w/ guts in a pickup OR 6-8 w/o guts. 95% of collectors buying a pump at a swap meet won't consider one w/ guts, UN-less as KW said it's a rare pump.

This is from our Frequently Asked Questions forum, the first forum on the forum list:


There are several "right" answers to this:

1. Removing the guts lightens the gas pump assembly making it easier to move. It also eliminates most of the smelly and possibly hazardous gasoline residue.

2. Leaving the guts in pumps left outside makes them tougher to steal and more stable in strong winds.

3. Leaving the guts in visible pumps provides a place for attachment of the outside handle and gives some low weight to help with top-heavy instability.

4. If a gas pump has an unusual or rare pump mechanism, it would be prudent to leave it all together for history's sake.

Except for the situations mentioned above, it doesn't hurt the resale value of a vintage gas pump to remove the guts to all but the most purist collector. Removal also makes a pump more compatible with displaying inside a house.

I understand that it reduces the weight. I just like mine to have the guts. I like to "tinker" and try to make them work again even though I'd never use it to pump gas again. So I see guys post that a pump is only original once and I feel like once the guts are gone its not the same anymore. Kinda like taking rover in to be castrated. There never the same LOL

If one even wanted to use a gas pump again for it's original use, most insurance companies won't even look at you with a policy. I know this as my wife has worked in claims with Country Companies for years. When I did my first visible for my father on our farm in 1981, I was going to make it a working piece of art. Was cautioned by the better half that CC would NOT write a farm policy with the visible anywhere near a building. Now years later they won't write a policy if it is any where on the property. Just my two cents worth. Rob

Something functional like a jukebox or coke machine...absolutely. A visible pump which usually needs the pump to support the handle...yes. An electric pump...almost never unless you are setting a booby trap for thieves. It will stink up a room and put undue stress on your floor. These guys are right...voices of experience. Move one by yourself one time up steps and over a threshold using an appliance truck and your sperm count will be dramatically reduced.
Dave

Plus you can get extra spending money by selling the scrap pump mechanism to the scrap yard ;.)

Exceptions would be with Visible Hand operated & Curb pumps [pre-visibles].

I totally understand why its done. It just makes it harder for guys like me, that like pumps to have guts, when everyone guts them assuming the person thats going to buy it wants it like that.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Many collectors feel as you do.
Once flippers make the decision for you & gut em because they have a bad back,you can nearly never find their parts again.

Hang on to them..

Miken

Have you ever taken the pump assemble found in a computer pump apart. If you had, you will find at least a gallon of the worst smelling gasoline you even smelt (I make up that word).
Actually, if you do want to keep the pump and meter in the pump, take them apart, drain all the residue and reassemble the units.

Don't just restore the pump by leaving these items in the pump and doing nothing about them. Just one little movement of that wheel on the side of the pump will bring around a section of the meter that holds old gasoline, and it will run out on the floor of the customer you sold the pump to.

So, if you really think the guts should be in the pump, be sure to take them all apart and clean out all the old gasoline.

Jack Sim

I gutted a tall 39 two weeks ago and a least two gallons came out. The hose was still full, the sight glass maifold was full and the meter was completely full.