I'm a newbie in the process of restoring a Gilbarco 96ER with a Veeder Root computer. I wanted the computer to work because I planned to hook it up to a motor and simulate pumping gas.
I learned a few things that might be useful.
1. The gears had a lot of surface rust on them and paying $25 a gallon for a fancy rust remover wasn't in the budget. I took a 5 gallon pail, put in about a cup of simple green ($8/gallon at Wally World) and a bottle of "the works" a toilet cleaner also available at Wally World ($1). 'The Works" is about 10% hydrochloric acid and when mixed with 5 gallons of water makes a pretty weak acid solution. I then detached the top part of the computer (called the counter section) and completely immersed it in the solution. 6 hours later it came out remarkably clean (see picture)and pretty much degreased. All the bushings were oiled and it ran like new.
2. The second thing I learned was you must be very careful if your installing new vinyl numbers. Some dials have ascending numbers and some are descending. Mix them up and you will have to pull the vinyl off and that will stretch it. You don't want that !
3. Also there is a tendency to stretch the vinyl when applying to the dials. DON'T DO IT or you will find the numbers overlapping at the end.
Well... those are some things I learned, I hope it helps someone else ;o)