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