Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Identification help for the new guy

Hello to all, I am brand new to the forum and would like a little help please. I have just bought my first pump which is a Tokheim. Any help with identification, specs, and value is appreciated.
Brand: Tokheim
Model: 800
Type: SH
Serial #: 487816-6-48
Underwriters Laboratories Inc #: A 495367

I picked this pump up a few days ago for $150. Let me know what you think. Thanks for any help.

Here are some pics of my new venture.

Wow! sounds like a very good deal on that pump. Depending on condition, post pictures if you can. and if you can't some one will help you out. Jack Sims is the pump man here,

Square Commercial/farm pump w/ later version head.

welcome to oldgas watch out you will catch the fever and then have a lot of pumps. I think for your first pump you didnt pay to much and it should be pretty easy to restore if you want to.

Square... The guy I bought it from said it was a farm pump. He has had it for 24 years and it came from the farm next door to him. He thought it was a late 40's model but wasn't sure. He has the manual for it and I'm picking it up in a few days.

Also, what would be a good resource for restoring this pump? Colors, brands, etc. Thanks again for your help.

Check the vendors listed in Links/Parts @ top of most pages. Pick an Oil Company YOU like, buy your decals/signs/globe & have paint mixed to match [not all are historic correct colors -they are close-], you'll be happier w/ the end results.

So I've come to learn that there are not a lot of parts available for my pump. DB, you stated that I have a later version head.... Do you know where I can find a replacement for the original style head? Thanks again for all your help. P.S. I think I may restore this to a Sinclair Aircraft pump since it is a commercial series. Let me know what you think.

Welcome to Oldgas. Glad to see a few new members lately from Kentucky on here.

Brian

WELCOME,WELCOME ! ANYTHING IN MY OPINION RESTORED IN AVIATION IS SWEET! JUST LIKE FLYING!

...if you're going to buy more than one pump and look to restore at least one - get Jack Sim's Gas Pump book and Benjamin/Henderson's 'Gas Pump Restoration'...

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm waiting on Jack Sim's book to arrive. I'll have to order the restoration book too. Thanks

Welcome to Old Gas!! Good luck on the resto on the pump

A commercial pumps is any pump that is used in a location that does not require the meter to compute the price, only the gallons pumped.

If you like to look at petro items check out my website: www.petrocollect.com

If you want to see your pump: http://www.petrolianacollectibles.com/tokheim%20800.htm

Jack Sim

Thanks for the help... Looks like it may be a little difficult to find an original style head. Jack, can you tell me what a pump like this is worth restored? Thanks again.

Restoration values vary greatly, from rattle can to clear coating w/ pin stripping & plating. $300-$3,000 from a swap meet item to a Barret Jerksion Auction item

As db stated values vary as does, "restoration". Do you want a "factory fresh" look, a "work site" look, a "farm look" or "fantasy look"?
The "factory fresh" look*; crisp paint with a good looking decal.
The "work site" look*; pump has been beat up some but has been kept up, looks "factory" from 20' away.
The "farm" look*; has some rust and is beat up. It is used and used hard everyday. If painted, the paint might not be all the same color. Use whatever paint is available.
The "fantasy" look*; pin-stripping, chrome, polished nozzle and bolts, multi-layered colors and/or paint.

(* My definition of look)

A Commercial pump was abused and used up in a hurry. Most companies that I worked at who had these pumps didn't pay much attention to them until they quit working. The pump on my grandfather's farm was the same way, except it got more abuse from young tractor drivers who had a problem pushing the brake pedal down enough to stop... right away. The fantasy look is just that. All pumps were "workhorses" and were never treated with "kid gloves".

With this pump I'm thinking of what you call the factory fresh look. I think Sinclair Aviation for the theme would fit nicely. I am open to suggestions on this one. Thanks again for the help.

Welcome aboard. Sinclair Aviation would look cool. I also like the as found look too.
Semper Fi!
Mike

If you intend to sell this pump you will make a larger "Percentage of Profit" selling it the way it is rather than restoring it.
Because:
1. If you restore it and you raise the price you will also be eliminating a large number of protential buyers.
2. As sure as you restore it to say Shell, the first five buyer will tell you they would buy it if it was Texaco.
3. Notice above I said "Percentage of Profit." Lets say you can sell it today for $300.00, you have made 100% profit above the buying cost. If you spend $300.00 restoring it and you sell it for $600.00 you are making the same $150.00 but only 33% of the original cost. Too many guys say, I made $300.00 off of this restored (whatever), but how much "Percentage of Profit" did you make?
4. Restored commercial pumps are hard to sell.

Jack Sim

Thanks. I appreciate the input. I agree with the Percentage of Profit. I'm going to go ahead and restore it for myself since it is my first pump. Maybe pump number two will be up for sale. My wife always tells me I have to much junk...can't make a ***** of her now can I.... Thanks again to everyone. I'll keep you all updated on my progress.

Maybe before your done you or someone will find the Tombstone single face head [as found on earlier ones].

That would be awesome.... It seems like all the repo parts are for the retail versions. If anyone comes across one let me know. I definetly want to put it back original.

Hello "new guy",

From your user ID, can we assume you were a mortarman in the Corps??

Semper Fi

Paul (3531)

That you can... 2 years was Security Forces then the last 2 were with 3/3 Weapons Company 81mm Mortars

According to the information you provided above, your pump was made in June, 1948. All the 800s that were made at that time had "Horizontal Counters" not the round tumbstone like head. Your pump is a 800-SH, a version of the 800-S. I wish the picture was better, but there is a possibility that the head is also a "Ticket Printer," but TPs usually had serial numbers that ended in S-TP.

The 800 was introduced around 1934, but it was still being made in the late 1950s, over 25 years of production (and many changes were made during those 25 years).

Also, if you are going to restore it, you will need a new nozzle. The nozzle on the pump is a Gilbarco first used around 1947.

For pictures of the nozzle on your pump go to: http://www.petrolianacollectibles.com/g-b%20nozzles.htm

For pictures of the nozzle used on the 800 go to: http://www.petrolianacollectibles.com/tokheim%20nozzles-2.htm

Jack Sim

When were you in? I assume fairly recent. Does the Corps still use both 60mm and 81mm mortars?

I was in four years (1968-72) and moved around quite a bit with three different divisions and one air wing...two partial tours in Vietnam (3rd and 1st Marine Divisions), two cruises - WestPac (3rd) and Med (2nd Marine Division) and briefly with the 2nd Marine Air Wing at Beaufort, SC.

Have fun with your pump restoration.

Paul

Thanks Jack. So is the head on my pump correct then? There isn't any type of ticket printer on it. The pump actually came with two nozzles... the Gilbraco and a new Dover Corp nozzle. Those will probally make their way to ebay soon. Thanks again.