Planning Eco Tireflator/Airmeter installation

[600SL]

I am interested in installing a functional Eco Tireflator/Airmeter. I am just a few weeks from pouring my driveway pad. Unfortunately I do not have the tireflator at this time and am not sure how they hook up. I would assume to do it correctly with a pedestal model I would need the air supply buried under the concrete with a stub sticking out. I also noticed that some of these have provisions for lights.

So my current plan is to bury two 1/2" pipes under the concrete one for electric and on for air.

So my questions are:
1) what type of pipe, black, galvanized etc.
2) should the pipe be encased in the concrete or go under it.
3) How should the pipe terminate, just a threaded end sticking up 6"
4) How far apart should the pipe be when coming up through the concrete. I will need room to tighten fittings and they must be close enough to fit in the hole in the base.
5) I have also noticed that some of these have provisions for an overhead island type light. Does anyone know how far from the wall this would need to be to have room for this light.

 

[Standard Gas&Oil]

Mine does not have a overhead light but you could run 1/2' black pipe and come straight up out of cement about 6'. My unit also has a inspection cover at base of unit that can be plumbed through that also, I have since reversed it to hide it and keep clean. Unless you live in a private area be careful mounting it outside, thieves will unbolt it (4) bolts and walk away. These are expensive units.

 

[The Hot Rod Grille]

As stated above, these are becoming VERY expensive units! A nicely restored unit that was priced at $400-500 a few years ago is now going for over $1K at the major shows. At that price, you will want to be sure that your desired location will be secure for your investment. I got really lucky last summer and picked up the one in the pic below at a yard sale for $350. It was complete and working as it had been removed from service during a convenience store remodel (they put in one of the "pay air" units). I'm still afraid to mount it outside my garage for fear of losing it to the "scrappers" that roam the neighborhood. My plans are to mount it just inside the garage near the door. It has the internal light kit, but no island-type light.

The gasoline pump beside the garage is secured with a large chain and lock inside the skirt which attaches to an eyebolt in the concrete to thwart thieves. The ECO would be more difficult to secure due to it's design and smaller size.

Jim

 

[600SL]

Yes theft is a big concern. What I like about this is its actually a very usable piece outside but very much in the way inside.

 

[Standard Gas&Oil]

Yes theft is a big concern. What I like about this is its actually a very usable piece outside but very much in the way inside.

You could get a wall mount unit and mount it anyplace in shop, you will just need to run air line and power if you purchase a backlit unit. A wall mount air meter will be less expensive and not have to worry about tripping over it or thieves stealing it at night.

 

[600SL]

You could get a wall mount unit and mount it anyplace in shop, you will just need to run air line and power if you purchase a backlit unit. A wall mount air meter will be less expensive and not have to worry about tripping over it or thieves stealing it at night.

Problem is that inside the shop it becomes useless. Outside the shop it becomes useful and I have a great place between two 10' doors where it will never be in the way.

It is the one item from American automobile history that I could own and use and not be in the way. I really don't have room for static displays. Otherwise I would be in the market for a Fry Mae West pump.

 

[Ohio Auto]

Not trying to discourage you from your plans...just my thoughts.

I put mine INSIDE my shop, just beside my one of my overhead doors. Theft is becoming an issue with outside mounted collectables. My thought process is that I didn't want anyone to know what I collected by someone driving by. Mine is functional, I use it all the time, the kids and grandkids love it.

One thing I would do different on mine is to add a water line to it, you can buy the add on water spigot for them pretty easily. Good luck with whatever you choose. Don't overthink it...it just needs an air compressor line and electric...most of these units were crudely wired up for use.

 

[600SL]

Not trying to discourage you from your plans...just my thoughts.

I put mine INSIDE my shop, just beside my one of my overhead doors. Theft is becoming an issue with outside mounted collectables. My thought process is that I didn't want anyone to know what I collected by someone driving by. Mine is functional, I use it all the time, the kids and grandkids love it.

One thing I would do different on mine is to add a water line to it, you can buy the add on water spigot for them pretty easily. Good luck with whatever you choose. Don't overthink it...it just needs an air compressor line and electric...most of these units were crudely wired up for use.

Nice shop

For me this would be my only collectable, therefore it would have to be outside as it would never be as productive as my Milton inflator on a hose real. It would really be to add character to the shop and something my wife and kids could use. Fortunately my garage is 450' back from the street and behind my house but word could still get around. It may just have to be bolted in place with a dedicated alarm circuit.

 

[600SL]

While you're burying stuff;
Run at least a 4" schedule 80 across that pad.
No one knows what sprinkler or gas or softwater line you'll want to run later.

A mantra to live by;
If you're digging a ditch, fill it with a long hole.

10-4 on that.

 

[600SL]

Well I got it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161278997634?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[Standard Gas&Oil]

Congrats, You will most likely have to rebuild it to get it to work properly. internal diaphragm gasket is usually shot. Post some pics when you get it up and working.

 

[600SL]

Congrats, You will most likely have to rebuild it to get it to work properly. internal diaphragm gasket is usually shot. Post some pics when you get it up and working.

Thanks

Nice picture of your rebuild. One of the first tools I intend to purchase is a Glass bead machine. I will finally have room for one.

I'm not sure if I want to restore it to show room or just the insides and leave the exterior patina.

Any ideas on what the factory original paint colors are and best places to buy matching OE pait or powder.

 

[Ohio Auto]

There is no real official color for these. Different oil companies ordered them for their specifications. After a few years the service station owner would usually go out and slap some paint on with a brush anyway. I think they were powder coated and most that I see are red.

I did a rattle can job on mine and it looks just fine. Once again, don't overthink it. Just paint it any color you like.

 

[600SL]

Well I finally did it. I got the ECO Tireflator. I actually got it about a year and a half ago but had to wait until I got a sand blaster for the restoration. I just got the parts back from the powder coat guy and they did an excellent job. For $100 the powder coating of 8 pieces was probably cheaper than a durable automotive quality paint. I also understand that ECO switched to powder coating in the mid 70's. I also decided to keep it mounted inside in a place that is out of the way.

I still have a few parts on order before final assembly and calibration but its internals are all rebuilt and running.

I will post a few more pictures when its complete.

 

[LXCam]

That turned spectacular.

 

[cookiemech]

Gorgeous!

 

[goingtoarizona]

Thanks, I didn't know these existed, now I want one.

 

[600SL]

Its all done now. Final assembly is complete including new air hose and fittings and permanently mounted.

I do find the calibration has been shifting over the past few weeks so I'm going to give it some time for the diaphragm to break in before I try to do a final cal.

 

[Falcon67]

Those are cool, too bad they are so $$$$. Yours turned out really nice.

 

[Junkman]

I got mine for free in 1967, when a service station was being torn down for the construction of an office building. I never got around to installing it at my shop, and when I retired from twisting wrenches in 1973, and moved, it was one of those things that I just couldn't leave behind. It has been sitting in a corner of my garage until I moved again in 1983, and built our new home. It once again took up residence inside the garage corner, until recently, when I moved a bunch of stuff around. Now, whenever a friend comes over to borrow a tool, they see it, and want to buy it. I politely tell them that it isn't for sale, and how long that I have owned it. Once person said to me that if I hadn't done anything with it in almost 50 years, that I will never do anything with it, and that I should sell it to someone that would restore it. I told him that he could buy it from my estate when I am gone.
At Carlisle this past month, the fellow in the spot next to me, had one for $1200, and it sold the second day. Asked if he got what he wanted, and he said that the guy that bought it paid the full price as marked. It wasn't as clean as mine, and the door at the bottom of the post was missing. I remember, when they were all over the field in the $350 - $400 price range, and many people thought that they were over priced then.
I have made some progress in restoring it. I purchased the service manual, and hung it on the hook, so it doesn't get lost.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Gawd I would love to have one pf those. I just can't afford one. I wonder how many of those were tossed out when the coin op units reared their ugly heads?

Tommy

 

[600SL]

More Pics and Video.

Video

 

[600SL]

Those are cool, too bad they are so $$$$. Yours turned out really nice.

I bought it for about $800. Probably cost about $1500 to get it fully operational and restored. A lot of fun restoring these.

 

[600SL]

I got mine for free in 1967, when a service station was being torn down for the construction of an office building. I never got around to installing it at my shop, and when I retired from twisting wrenches in 1973, and moved, it was one of those things that I just couldn't leave behind. It has been sitting in a corner of my garage until I moved again in 1983, and built our new home. It once again took up residence inside the garage corner, until recently, when I moved a bunch of stuff around. Now, whenever a friend comes over to borrow a tool, they see it, and want to buy it. I politely tell them that it isn't for sale, and how long that I have owned it. Once person said to me that if I hadn't done anything with it in almost 50 years, that I will never do anything with it, and that I should sell it to someone that would restore it. I told him that he could buy it from my estate when I am gone.
At Carlisle this past month, the fellow in the spot next to me, had one for $1200, and it sold the second day. Asked if he got what he wanted, and he said that the guy that bought it paid the full price as marked. It wasn't as clean as mine, and the door at the bottom of the post was missing. I remember, when they were all over the field in the $350 - $400 price range, and many people thought that they were over priced then.
I have made some progress in restoring it. I purchased the service manual, and hung it on the hook, so it doesn't get lost.

The service manual is an interesting read. Just getting it to work so you can use it is not too hard or expensive.

 

[mkarlin]

Well I finally did it. I got the ECO Tireflator. I actually got it about a year and a half ago but had to wait until I got a sand blaster for the restoration. I just got the parts back from the powder coat guy and they did an excellent job. For $100 the powder coating of 8 pieces was probably cheaper than a durable automotive quality paint. I also understand that ECO switched to powder coating in the mid 70's. I also decided to keep it mounted inside in a place that is out of the way.

I still have a few parts on order before final assembly and calibration but its internals are all rebuilt and running.

I will post a few more pictures when its complete.

What did you paint the grey with.