Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Some advice Or Words Of Wisdom

Hey there fellow collectors.
My name is Dave and I am a newbie to the gas pump world. I have always dreamed of getting a discarded and forgotten pump and restoring it to it's former glory. I recently took a chance and purchased a Bennett 966 pump that auctioned on eBay last week. I scrutinized the pictures for the entire week and weighed my options for restoration. I won the auction for $177.00. I drove a couple of hundred miles and picked up the pump. I looked the pump over lightly and drove off to the confines of my garage. It didn't look too good. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. I got the pump home and took a good long look at the pump. If my picture loaded properly you will see that the pump has tons of surface rust. There is only one place near the bottom that has eaten through. The person I bought the pump from threw in a spare 966 that was pretty picked through. The side skins could be used as donors on this pump. All four doors that came with the pumps are warped and crusty. I have both sight glasses and spinners. I have a sight glass bezel and a set of spears for one door. The stainless around the nozzle holder is good. The base is solid. The inside frame is good as is most of the inside metal. The face plates are in great shape. The computer is all there and seems fine. There was a nice Buckeye nozzle included that will shine up nice. And the chrome reset handle on the one side is in great shape. My question to you guys is can this pump be saved? Is it worth the time and effort? Have any of you guys restored a pump in this condition or worse?...I really love the idea of restoring this hulk, but is there a point when you have to say forget it and salvage what you can and try to get another pump in better shape?. Or do I forge ahead and do the impossible?. My budget is tight (at least my wife says so). I am talented at restoring jukeboxes, telephone booths, radios, and various other derelict relics.
I'm not a welder but I know how to sandblast and paint. Any words of encouragement or advice would be very appreciated.
Oh, and if I go for the restoration would anybody have a spare set of usable doors for this pump? (with the ad glass cutout?)
Thanks a million guys for your time and consideration.
Dave

In case my pic doesn't show up you can see the pump at http://www.members.aol.com/dpete410/bennett966.jpg

Dave , In my opinion all pumps are worth saving, take the pump apart and get the skins and frame sand blasted , paint the fram with Hammer tone paint fron rustoleum, a little surface puddy on the body and your ready to shoot some color, I have had rustier pumps that were full of dents ,and I've had pumps that the frams had desolved, they were all saved , so take your best shot at it , I don't think you will be disapointed

WELL SAID, CHRIS. DITTO...ENCORE.
IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST PUMP AND IT'S A NIGHTMARE....IT'LL MAKE YOUR 2ND PUMP SEEM LIKE BUTTER! PROVIDING IT'S NOT AS BAD AS THIS ONE.

THIS PUMP WILL BE THE PROVING GROUNDS AS TO WHETHER YOU ACTUALLY FIND AND TACKLE ANOTHER PUMP.

KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU HAVE FRIENDS HERE ON THIS WEBSITE, AND OF COURSE WELCOME TO THE BEST DARN PETRO RELATED WEBSITE ON THE PLANET!

CARRY ON, MY FRIEND!

DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGES
BOTW HOST
COTM CO-HOST

[This message has been edited by THE AMERICAN GARAGE (edited 09-02-2004).]

Wellcome.
As with any project [cars, furniture, pumps, etc], if there is no challange to your ability, is there any FUN restoring it ??
This is your 1st. NOW everything you buy will be compared to it.
Soon you will have to get another & another .............
Dick

Dave,

Go for it. I have brought home pumps in worse condition, and they have turned out really nice. Alot of sweat, time and some money, and you will own a piece of history and alot of conversation. As Dick Bennett indicated you will not beable to do just one.

Ron

I agree with the other posts. go for it. We all have had pumps like this to restore it just gives you greater satisfaction when they are done. Welcome to the site. And keep us posted on your progress. Richard

Yipper Dave...restore it...Those are the ones you want to restore...if it was in great original condition...I would say leave it alone and enjoy..but this is the kind to restore...have fun and welcome to the site.

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Hubba the GAS GEEK , OIL FREAK of Shoreline WA

So you got a rusty pump and a parts pump for that price. I'd say you did good. Sure, it will be some nasty work turning rust into something nice, but you'll be proud of the result. Just for a little encouragement, here is an image posted on an earlier Shop Talk topic with a Bennett 966 restored to Pure Firebird in the background. We'll help with what we can along the way. We all have the disease that you just caught.



The other pump in the picture is a rusty National A-38. You'll be looking for one of those after you get this one done. haha

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Jim "Oldgas" Potts
Your host and moderator

welcome to oldgas you will love this site. dave to me your pump don't look all that bad. i agree with dick bennett, this is just a start for ya in this wonderfull gas world. we no that you are already a collector by your post, welcome to the petro world. cheese www.bcheese.com

Hey Dave, you want your money back on that 'ol rust hulk???

My gosh, that pump looks great to me. Back in the 80's when I did a bunch of pumps and knew no one else in the business, I would take pumps a lot worse and make them look great. It just takes time and I am certain you can do it... don't get overwhelmed, just take part at a time and it will all fit together. You will appreciate the finished product more than just stripping and painting sheet metal. I always said, its just like working on a car, you make it look good, but you don't have to make it run.
Do it..

Wow!
You guys are the best!!!
+Chris Holt • DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGES • Dick Bennett • Ron A • gatorgaspumps • Hubba the GAS GEEK • Jim "Oldgas" Potts • big cheese • fins n vtwins • Ron Saenz
A heart felt thank you goes out to all who gave me encouragement and support on my latest endeavor.
Your words have motivated and inspired me to restore my hulk to pristine condition. No matter how much time and sweat and money.
I printed out all of the responses to my post and showed my wife. I think she now has faith that I can make the two rusting hulks blocking her space in the garage into something truly beautiful.
Time will tell...
Thanks guys...feels like a real family here...I will keep you updated on my progress and I'm sure there will be more questions to follow.
Thanks again!!
Dave (CollectorDave)

You are right Dave. You can do it. Any question at all and one of us on this site can answer it. These guys have helped me through my 3 pumps this last year and I learned a lot. Go for it!!!!! ~Jason

Dave, welcome to the site!! In the course of time you'll learn that most of us on this site are a bunch of screwed up crazy guys that are left over from the sixties (especially Dick Bennett!!!) Don't show this reply to your wife!!!!! Just kidding, I think you did fine on your pump. You'll be an experienced "bondo slinger" in no time. Again, welcome to the jungle!!!!

Dave:

Welcome to the madness!

The restored pump (Firebird) is Chris' pump. I have one of his A-38's in my shop right now (I don't think it's the one in the picture though - he has two). The two of us are 'restoring' it. It was in a LOT WORSE shape than what you have. Just for reference, I've already got over 30 hours of 'bodywork' just in the doors and side panels. They are finally at the point where I'm gonna shoot another coat of primer on them and then Chris and I will 'guide coat' the panels and do a final sanding. Hopefully, Chris will be happy with the results and we can go to color.

These panels had major dents and rust holes in them. But once we get done - you'll never know it.

As Chris said - get~er~sandblasted first. Then you can ascess the damage and go from there. From the shots you posted, it looks like a reltatively simple re-do.

Good luck and feel free to post any future questions. There's a bunch of us that will help you out if you need it.

Later . . .

Jim





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