Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Bennett 371-Sinclair HC

First post. Just dragged the gas pump from beneath the grainery where it has been resting for decades. Label say Bennett 371. Photos of pumps are listed as having on one t and I see not Model No. 371. ???

Is there a paint code for Sinclair green?

The Bennett 371 pumps were made from about 1938-1940, as per the gas pump book. Some had add glass at the top and some didn't. Sinclair stations used a lot of Bennett pumps over the years. Some people clean them up and leave them as found for the rustic look. Others repaint/ restore them. Post a picture of yours if you can and welcome to Old Gas

Also in those years Sinclair used the Sinclair Ethyl, US Motors, Pennant and the red dot HC globes. The pumps were probably used a lot longer than just during the years they were made so some other globes may have also been used on Sinclair branded Bennett 371 pumps. I do not have a paint code

If you would like to see some pictures of the 371 check out this page of my website. http://petrolianacollectibles.com/bennett%20371.htm

The page is not finished, I also have parts manuals and a lot more color literature available. If you are interested let me know and I will finish the page.

Jack Sim

Welcome to Oldgas.com! One of my favorite pumps, I like the tombstone look of them.

I'll take a picture of what I have and post it. However, this is definitely a restoration job. We are the third owner of a (now inactive) dairy farm that was established in 1848. The pump was removed by the second owner sometime in the 1980's, but before that they had brush painted it (maybe a child did it) the pea-soup green that matched the barn. I've taken the motor and pump out (just to lighten it). I need to do a bit of body work on it to remove a few dents, paint it, rewire, get an HC globe, and probably have the face restored. Sources, paint codes would be greatly appreciated!

Is there an external switch for the lights on the Bennett 371 pump? I have it disassembled and did not recall seeing one.

I have 2 Bennett 371's. Neither one has an external light switch.I believe it was inside on the light manifold conduit. You had to open access door to turn the switch on. The last one I restored I just put my own roll switch in a junction block in the light conduit coming down from the light manifold about even with the access door. The conduit in on the opposite side of access door but it easy to reach across to turn it on.

pic. I do have .the paint code for this green. Its not original paint code but it matches the green in the decal real close, Its PPG paint

Very nice!

Nice pump Ernie. I have the same one but mine would be the "before" picture for yours.

I have another in line if I ever get around to it. May be a couple years. Its gonna be a red/white Sinclair premium.

Ernie, your pump is really nice. It looks as though the original paint scheme on mine (Sinclair HC) was all green, although because it was painted over I cannot be sure. I have not been able to find a reference that indicates which is correct. Should it be as you have painted yours?

Which door is the "access door," the one that has the lock?

Thanks!

Well, it's only taken 8 years, but I my 371 is painted and ready for reassembly. Is there any supplier of old pump parts that carries stuff for the 371? Gas Pump Heaven does not and the woman I spoke with had no idea.

Since it's been 8 years, there is a lot I have forgotten.

Labels -- the green sides each has one set of four holes ( (square pattern). What would have been there?

Labels -- the white front and back -- one has one set of four mounting holes (square pattern), the other two sets of four mounting holes (both square pattern). What labels would have been there?

Can someone post a picture showing how the front/rear panels and sides attach to the frame, please?

The “labels” were probably “contains lead - tetraethyl” signs, depending on the bolt pattern. You might also be looking at a bolt pattern for a manufacturer ID / serial number tag (depending on location).

Measure the bolt patterns and try to take some pics and post both the measurements and pics here. I’m sure we can figure it out with a little more info.

-Steve

Attached (I hope) are photos of the white front (or back), one of the green sides, and top of the pump. I have added the spacing of the holes.

I assume that when the pumps were in use there were no decals, but instead the information was on metal plates screwed to sheet metal.

Here are my questions:

1. Is there any place that sells items specifically for the Bennett 371?

2. So based upon the spacing of the holes in the photos, can someone suggest what was likely on the front/back, and sides?

3. What are the two rather large holes for on the top?

4. I have already purchased the glass globe halves and intend to buy the plastic holder.
a. Do I need a globe lamp stand? (e.g. Gas Pump Heaven Item Number CWS)
b. Do I need the metal snap rings to hold the glass into the plastic holder?
c. The hole in the top is 4 3/8" in diameter. What holds the globe to the top?
,
5. Now that I know that the 371 and 541 are essentially the same pumps, I was going to buy the computer face that is listed for the 541, but I noticed two things: 1) The long edges of the face seem to be turned up and mine are flat and, 2) One of the two originals has two small rectangular slits for the station owner to read sales volume I believe, has the part number 371-M-400-1, and the other does not have the slits, part number 371-M-400-2. Both originals have the hole for the sight glass bezel, but the reproduction for the 541 with slits lacks the sight glass bezel hole. ?????


6. Also included here is a picture of the Bennett tag. A long time ago someone got happy with some weird green paint. My pump is not going into a museum, but what do you suggest?

"c. The hole in the top is 4 3/8" in diameter. What holds the globe to the top?"

I purchased the aluminum 541 globe adapter from gaspumpheaven.com, which I think comes blank (no hole pattern). Had to drill both the adapter and the pump top to match. Think I also tapped the adapter and attached it with machine screws from under (inside) the top. You could also just use countersunk sheet metal screws from the top.

Jim, I just recently acquired a 371. Seems pretty much original, from what I know. I'm guessing your holes on the panels are for some sort of metal signage. I think the "Leaded Gas" sign has a six inch bolt hole pattern so that doesn't fit your holes. But the 2 holes on the top were probably for a pricer flag bracket. I have that on mine. It looks like a half inch diameter x half inch high cylinder that I guess some sort of ad item attaches. I've never seen the attachment. Search the archives here to find out more. There are pictures of this item. So I think that's what the 2 top hole are. Bob

Correction. I just measured the "Leaded Gas" sign. The hole pattern is 5 inches top to bottom and 6 inches horizontally. Looks like that will fit your panels. And just to let you know the I.D. plate attaches to the access door. At least that's how it is on mine.

I’ll do my best for you……

1. Is there any place that sells items specifically for the Bennett 371?

A lot of the common Bennet parts in the 300 and 500 series are used on both, if it is the parts you are talking about here. If you want original parts contact Tom Buckles. If you want quality reproduction parts try Ron Scobie.

2. So based upon the spacing of the holes in the photos, can someone suggest what was likely on the front/back, and sides?

The 5 x 6” holes are definitely for “contains lead” signs. The id tag mounts to the access door. I have never really seen one mounted anywhere else from the factory.

3. What are the two rather large holes for on the top?

I’m not sure, but it seems someone else answered that.

4. I have already purchased the glass globe halves and intend to buy the plastic holder.

For proper terminology it sounds like you bought the glass lenses.

a. Do I need a globe lamp stand? (e.g. Gas Pump Heaven Item Number CWS)

You will need a 6” steel globe holder which can be painted, or you can buy a polished steel or aluminum one.

b. Do I need the metal snap rings to hold the glass into the plastic holder?

No, the reproduction lenses fit into the groove in the reproduction plastic Capco body.

c. The hole in the top is 4 3/8" in diameter. What holds the globe to the top?

You will center the metal globe holder on the opening and bolt it to the top with the existing holes (you may have to drill new ones because the pattern may be different). The globe body is held in the globe ring with three set screws that you hand tighten. Google some pictures, it will help you out.

I will tell you one more piece of advice, if you bought the glass globe lenses at GPH, then buy the plastic body from them. They make their own and I don’t believe they are very compatible with the other ones on the market.

Hope this helps,
Steve B.

These Bennett pumps are a favorite of many OG guys. As you can see, there are lots of people willing to help other members out. Welcome Back.

I wonder if someone could post photos showing how the light manifold is positioned in the cabinet, and how it it is held in place? Either a 371 or 541

It is held in with a small clamp that has only one bolt. The 371 and 541 are different.

The deeper I get into this ...

Does anyone have a 371 (541?) nozzle hook for sale? (Actually all I need is the lever.)

Is there a 371 Parts Catalog available? The one shown on Tom Buckles' page seems to be missing p. 5 which has the index for the image on p. 4.

The 541 lever is different. The 541 lever is available reproduction. You can make it work if you can not find an original 371 lever.

Using the photos attached, can someone tell me how the per gallon price was set on the Bennett 371? Seems there are two knurled knob plugs attached with chains.

Is there a separate parts/service brochure for the computer?

Thanks!