I am currently restoring a Gilbert & Barker (G&B) model 177. This pump is really tall with the visible gas cylinder and should look great when fully restored. I am struggling with the brand choice and the related colors to paint it. I think that decision will depend on which globe I buy for it. To that end, I see on various web sites globes for sale that are 15” or 16” and even smaller sizes. Can anyone advise me what is correct for my pump?? What are we measuring? The lens or the globe body size? Is there a specific size requirement for the base or all the globe bases the same size? Are There any references available on the period correct globes to use or is this just a process of looking at vintage pictures? On a separate but related subject, are there any “pump junkyards” out there where I could find a few internal parts I am missing? Sorry for all the questions but I am new to this and any help would be appreciated! Thanks - Jim

I am getting ready to restore a G&B T-176... i have an original one piece Texaco i think i am going to do mine in. Love to see pics of yours.

See attached pictures before I took it all apart. Within a week I will sandblast and prime all the metal. I don’t want to do that until I have decided the globe issue and the paint scheme. What size is your globe? Do you have a pic with the globe mounted on the pump? Let me know if you see the pic -I’m having some issues attaching the file

Pump junk yard, get ahold of Tom Buckles
As for globe, anything but plastic (Capco).
Here is before and after of my GB176

Outstanding before and after pictures. Thanks for the tips on part sources. Your globe on top looks very large - 16” +?

Its 15" high profile. Reproduction frame and lenses.
97% of metal frames are 15"
Sunoco ONLY used 15"
I know Mobil did have some 16 1/2" frames. Maybe some others did also. Im not sure.
For parts also post here in 'want to buy' section.

I think every G&B visible ive owned had a 7" globe mount so you can put any globe ring on it using longer screws for a 6" base or you can find some metals and almost all; Crowns came with a 7" base

Steven C: Maybe the best before and after pictures I’ve seen. Outstanding results! Looks like 15” globe will work for me Very helpful pictures- thanks for that.

Thanks gasgeezer , good info. I do see a few sellers on line for metal 15” mounts so I think I’m headed in that direction. I’ll measure my base to be sure

There is one easy way to figure out an age appropriate globe for any gas pump:

Step 1). Figure out when your pump was manufactured in the Gas Pump Bible (I’m not home right now, or I’d look it up for you). Let’s assume it’s 1925. Then you have to figure these pumps were probably used for several years at the gas station, and even longer at rural ones. So let’s just assume this pump could’ve been in service for 10 years. 1925-35

Step 2). Look up brands of gas or globes you like on the Globe CD. The globe CD gives company histories on most every company that ever existed and the years that each globe was used. The globe CD has such useful information and I highly recommend it. It is also fun just to read the company histories.

I am not affiliated with the sales of the Globe CD, I just highly recommend it and the wealth of info it provides. (Same with the gas pump bible)

If you decide on a brand of gas and globe, post it here and many of us will be able to tell you if it’s age appropriate.

-Steve.

…and yes, a 15” globe for a G&B 176

PetroNuts.com should have a 15” steel repop body for you.

OK Speedracer - all logical and very helpful. I do not have the original tags that (I presume) would have a number that would date the pump so that could be an issue I suppose.

Where do I find the globe cd or the gas pump bible?
Thanks!

Gas Pump Bible:
https://checktheoilmagazine.com/store

Globe CD:
https://www.pcmpublishing.com/shop/products.php?cat=7

Here's some suppliers of 15" globes (sorry if I forgot any):
https://www.vics66.com/
https://www.gaspumpheaven.com/product-category/globes/
KC's Kool Fuel

I am home and I just checked the Gas Pump Bible for you. I happened to be correct, the 177 was manufactured in 1925.

And to answer your original question about dimension, a globe size is measured by the diameter of the lens (or the opening in the globe body).

If you know a brand of gas you would like to use, and like a particular globe from one of suppliers above, feel free to call me (number in my profile) and I can tell you if the globe is appropriate for your time period. I'd be happy to help.

If you decide not to use the round Ethyl plate on the side for your restoration, I would be interested in buying it.

-Steve

We sell a number of 13.5" and 15.0" lenses in brands that no one else manufactures.

We also can do any custom image you might want.

T-waysGraphics.com

Later . . .

Jim

I have a Valvoline Ethyl globe on early capco i am going to put on my Gilbert Barker T-176. I got mine is all blasted as of late last night. Taking it sun to the guy that is going to paint it. I am basing my restoration off this pic. It is a 13.5 globe on it... just because its a plastic body capco doesn't mean its not old... capco date back to the 30's.

Steven C. Did you source a reproduction lower access panel? I need to find one for my G&B 177. Maybe even 2 panels since I have bad rust out on the lower edge and I need a good patch source
Thanks for any help on this
J8m

This access panel came from Gas Pump Heaven and I purchased a patch panel but the ribs didn’t match at all so just used the bottom part below rib and save original rib.
I will post pics when I get all the brass bolts back from being polished and pump is put together.

Wow. You did a good job patching. The lower edge of one side of my pump was as I rusty as yours but well into the bead as well. I’ll have to live with the difference from the original bead I don’t see another source so I went ahead and ordered the panels. Thanks for the pics - they help a lot!

Here are some pics of my 177. They are tall! The handsome fellow beside the pump is 6ft.

Nice pump! I hope mine turns out that good. Somewhere I would like to find an original brass G&B emblem. I’m afraid that I would butcher the repros trying to bend and polish them.

Forgot to ask you how long the rods are that hold the top together. I just bought some 3’ replacement rods and need to cut to size