Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Cast Iron Erie 70-91 Top

Does anybody have one of these cast iron tops and willing to give me the overall dimensions (height, width, length)?

I'm also trying to understand how this mounted, so if anyone has a picture of one on a pump, that would be really useful!

I'd like to make some repros. It's for Erie 70-91g pumps.

Thanks Paul

Paul

I have one ill send dimensions. or i will send it to you let me know
Bill

Hi Bill, wow that would be awesome if you could send it. I'll pay for shipping of course. That way I can make an exact replica. I should only need it for 2-3 days. I'll PM you.

Thanks Paul

I’ve never owned one of these pumps, but I believe someone said these tops just sit on top of pump with no mounting hardware. Just the weight of them holds them on???

I sold mine to Bill a little over a year ago.

. When I found it on a pump it was just sitting there. The top had no way to fasten it but I believe there could have been impressions for holes in each corner.

Marshall, that makes sense the light up Erie tops just sit there too. Strange thing is that the light up tops have a flange that goes into the metal base at least. This cast metal top doesnt even seem to have that! No flange. I'm thinking the site glass area must keep it in place. But not sure.

Weired Erie just had all these unmounted tops. We are trying to make the the base they sit in too, will see how that goes.

There are actually two copper spring clips that hold the glass tops on. At least that is the way it is on my pump.

We had an original glass top at one time, but was never on a pump. Where did the clips go?

I have an original glass top on my 70 but it just sets there. I’ve always wondered if they had clips or something to hold them on originally but my pump didn’t have anything like that when I got it. It seems like in real time use those tops would’ve gotten stolen or knocked off pretty easily f they weren’t at least attached somehow. But, globes were only fastened with a few screws so not that secure either I guess and who wanted a gas globe back then anyway? Times sure have changed. I think Todd Tessman has one of the cast ones too. He’ll be at Iowagas if you’re going this year Paul. I’m sure he’d loan you his and save shipping one.

Hey Gary,

Thanks for the info. I was surprised to hear there were clips on those erie tops, I hadnt heard that before either. Bill and I have already talked, he's going to let me borrow his for a few days. It'll be so much better than me guessing the dimensions and just working off photos.

Yeah, it's strange to think how easy it was to steal any of this stuff back in the 30s 40s 50s, I guess no one would have wanted them like you say. If I had a time machine, be bad, I'd probably steal a bunch and all the gas stations would be confused. Why would anyone want these! Crazy kids!

- Paul

Here are some pictures of the clips and where they are located on the pump I did. They were original to the pump when I got it, I just polished them up since they were copper. There are only two of them on opposite corners and they mount to the flange that the metal top bolts to. Hope this helps!

Seeing a picture of it really helps. Not surprising its missing on most pumps. Appreciate the post, thanks!

Interesting. Guess they would at least keep it in place and not be easy to just lift off. How do you release the clip with the glass on there? There’s a short lip on the glass that sets down inside the metal frame so seems like it’d be hard to get something in there to push the clip off to release the glass….?

I just made a little tool that looks like a slim jim to reach in under the glass top and pull the copper clip back to release it. It’s just a flat piece of thin metal that I notched at the end. Works like a champ.