Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Tools need to unhook a gas pump?

I am going to be getting some of the 1970`s square gas pumps that are still sitting on there islands, I assume they will have the key locks on the front, since I have never unhooked one before and these are out of town what tools do I need to take with me to get them loose?

Also how do you unhook them?

Drill to drill out the locks if you don't have the key, large pipe wrench, long pipe that will fit over the handle of the pipe wrench, sledge hammer, wire cutters, sawzall, and a tester to check to see if wires are hot. Some other small hand tools would not hurt either. Most important a friend to help.

What he said. Make sure the power is shut off to the pump. Also, the pump is probably connected to a storage tank. Would be best to not make any sparks and to have a cap to block off the pipe going to the tank when you are done.

#1- Treat all wires as if they are HOT. Disconnect electrical wires 1st & wire nut or tape ends.
#2- Chug a couple of beers, Won't hurt as much when ya Bust a Knuckle or 2! Pour Beer on any open wounds/Busted Knuckles.
#3- Loosen Pipe Unions
#4- Remove all mounting bolts
#5- Load into pickup
#6 AFTER Returning Home, Finish Drinking any Beer ya have left

What Dick said

Cutting torch and a video camera.

I want to see this !

Wouldn`t the sawzall make sparks and be like a torch!

VERY Seldom will it cause sparks & if you use w/ oil it will cut faster.
BUT as Scott said, if you use a cutting torch Be Sure you record w/ a video camera! It could go Viral on YouTube!

The sawzall may be needed to cut off the mounting bolts ect. I only use it on the pipe as a last resort.

Ron the sawzall might come in handy for pesky conduit or brackets . I agree with all the above &DB s cold beer sounds good as well. My grandfathers little gilbarco had a 2" pipe union and I worked forever getting it to move . Take a big hammer and long punch or round stock bar as well so you can beat on the union nut to egg shape it some and get it to where it will move if it refuses to budge. Most important post some pics for us!

After hitting the union a few times & the Union refuses to budge, your Cheater pipe ain't long enough or your going the wrong Direction! [you wouldn't be the 1st one Tightening a union to remove, even plumber do it!]

Will I need 2 pipe wrenches for the union or is it just one coupler?

Should need just one , but take two if you have them . A pipe union is two piece and the female nut part is loosened , the male portion of the fitting most likely won't turn but in the event it does you will be covered . A 90deg off set pipe wrench works great in areas of limited space such as this as well. Best of luck Ron !

It never hurts to have a multi-directional saws-all with 2 fresh metal hack-saw type blades and a couple of Charged batteries.
That's my 2 cents

Thanks for the pics and advice guys I will post some pics when I go down to get them.