New to the hobby. Purchased an old Bennett 541 and starting tearing it down to restore. In attempting to access the lighting wiring for the ad glass and globe, I can't break free the plug nor the screws for the plates holding the lighting bases in place. Any assistance or lessons learned would be appreciated. I've attached photos to this post.

what your trying at access looks a little dry-
spray with spray solve or WD 40 too loosen up,
do this numerous times over a few days until loose..
welcome too oldgas .. ....

What Randy said, and I have great success with Micro Impact Driver Set which served well with a lot of restorations.

541

Thanks for the quick replies, very appreciated.

Not to hijack the thread but I have a 371 and the electrics on the top of mine look way different I do not have the pretty light shields and my lights are sideways not facing the door like in the pictures posted here, also my globe light in the center sets level with the rest of the lights behind the 4 ad glasses not elevated as it is with the 541 pictured. Is this a trait of the 371 that was changed when they made the 541s. I believe mine was all original when I got it as it sat in a junk yard for about 40 years before I acquired it. Everything lights as it should globe, ad glass and windows. No biggie as I was just curious. Guess Id never seen a picture of one besides mine from behind the skins before. I can post pics later if someone is interested. Thanks

Now back to the original thread about the 541...

Packman28, Welcome to Oldgas, and good luck with your restoration. I'm sure you will be able to get any questions you might have answered.

I used a small bottle torch in addition to the impact driver to get those countersunk screws out.

spray with a penetrating oil, heat with any type of torch. attempt to loosen, if not successful, repeat... it will eventually come free. do not overly force it and strip the top of the screw. same method for removing access plate in lighting manifold, but sometimes removing that assembly from the pump entirely proves easier to work on (especially since you'll want to melt out the tar gunk inside the manifold)

Update: Got the insides sandblasted and primed. Now, on to rewiring the lights. Thanks for the advice, I'm sure I'll need more down the road.

Here is a photo of the light configuration on my Bennett 371. Like your pump there is no shade and the light is mounted sideways.

Some of you are making assumptions again. Pump companies made changes in these pumps when they either found they could make something cheaper or better. Many did not make changes in their parts lists. Your assumption is that the first pump was exactly like the last one that rolled off the line, in many case this was not true.

Jack Sim
Author of the new Gas Pump Bible book, www.petrocollect.com