Cavalier c4-98f

[shellynne]

I just got a Cavalier C4-98F machine and am trying to get it to vend cans.  As mentioned in a post on a 55, there is notch on the top for cans, but not on the bottom.  

I did copy down Brian's instructions and will work through them in vain hopes of success.

In the interim ...

Question one: I got the C4-98F for $100.  Seems to work fine - things get REALLY cold but don't freeze - paint is mostly whole, but the front decal is really faded.  How did I do?  What does one of these things go for?  I've been looking but haven't seen one on e-bay.

Question two - and it's a subjective one: When do you restore?  My 98F and my Vendo H63 are both in pretty darned good working order.  The paint is bright on both, with the vendo rusting a bit on the top.  At what point do you "sacrifice" the original condition and just ... go for it?

Thanks in advance for your help!  I'll try to post pictures ... well, when I get some taken.

Shelly

[collecture]

Hi Shelly,
I think most any machine in nice original working shape for a $100 is pretty good. I am not familiar with the Cavalier C4-98F machine, so posting pictures will help immensely.
I think you are just going to have to come up with some sort of modification for the notch at the bottom, but a picture would help here too.
As far as restoration, that is up to you! It is not cheap if you want someone else to do it and it is not a simple do-it-yourself thing either. Of course, I am talking full blown restoration as there is no other kind in my mind.

[shellynne]

Thanks, Tom!  I'll try to post pics tonight.

The C4-96F (not a 98F!) is much like the C2-55 only doubled - same era, dispenses four flavors, has two chutes.  From what I can tell from the post on the 55 (where the guy is asking the same questions I need answered), the mechanisms are identical.

Shelly

[shellynne]

Trying to post pictures ....

[shellynne]

Got it now, I think ....

The very last picture posted is a closer shot of the dispenser mechanism.  The upper left hand corner shows a notched piece of metal.  According to the instructions on the door, the front-most notch is for cans.  However, there is no corresponding notch on the bottom.

What holds the back plate in place?

Thanks for the help!

[MoonDawg]

Nice machine Shelly! 4 selections is great.  You have a machine that could actually be put in a public location vending cans and paying for itself every month.
      You have what we call a nice original, keep it that way. We have a lot of respect for a machine that has been kept indoors for so long.
       Hope you can find the replacement decal for the front: Hand holding the Diamond can.   That will look cool!

[collecture]

Hi Shelly,
I agree with Moondawg - originals are nice to have as they ONLY original once!
The can notch does look almost identical to the Cav 55 - I think you were reading a post from me as that is my dilemma with the 55. The "can kit" for the 55 was available as an extra and I think the service reps would have to be able to install it in the field. It does not sound reasonable that the machine would have been taken into the local bottling company to have modifications made. I have yet to see a picture or discuss with anyone as to exactly what the bottom notch looked like. I am thinking that some kind of extension was fastened to the bottom set of notches and am trying to come up with something??, but it has not happened yet. I'll be sure to post something when I figure it out.
Curious - does your machine use side spacers and shims at the bottom to adjust for different size bottles? Anything on the loading instruction decal concerning side spacers or shims? It looks like I can see something below the bottom notches. If it does use them, what are the approximate measurements? I would like to know, so I can expand my search criteria for side spacers.
Also, does your machine use levers to vend like the 55 or some other way to release the bottle/can to be vended?
Thanks in advance!

[shellynne]

Oh, Tom ....  My machine most certainly DOES use side spacers and shims!  I'll take you some really good pics tonight and post 'em for you!  

And, as I have a number of engineer, architect, small engine repair and computer geek type friends (I'm just a geek with enough knowledge in the other areas to make some major messes), I'm going to have them working on the can notch issues, too.  If we come up with a solution, then I'll defintely let you know!

If I'm understanding the mechanism correctly, it does vend levers.  And from what I see in the pictures in your post, my 96F is your 55 doubled.  Whatever helpful hints you can send my way would be appreciated.  And, I'll have you know, I'm now coveting a 55.  Mine might have four selections, but those 55s are so ... slim.  They can just tuck into a corner!  I could maybe even have one of my machines in my HOUSE as opposed to my garage.  What a concept.  :-)

In fact ....  As I was looking at my machine last night, I noticed it has only one drip pan and that the bottom of the machine is totally open.  Is it supposed to be that way?

And, what should I use to restick the diagrams on the door back to the door.  I'm leaning toward rubber cement as it won't damage the paint, but I thought I should ask first.  I know NOTHNG about restoration.  

I thought about using this as an actual vending machine, but I really don't want to chance anyone ... hurting it.  Now, charging my family and friends a reasonable amount for pop ... that I could go for.  :-)

Thanks.  Oh, and if ANYONE knows where I can get that decal, I would really appreciate being headed that direction!

[collecture]

Shelly,
Thanks, but pictures of your spacers aren't necessary. I have dimensions of the Cav55 spacers and was just wondering if yours were the same size. I suspect they are, but just wanted to know for sure.

As far as re-applying the instructional decals, I have never done that. Rubber cement might work. There are also some spray adhesives on the market. I think if you were to protect the liner from overspray and just spray the back of the decal, it would work great. Just don't run the machine for a while and make sure the decal is dry before you do anything (leave the door open for a while).

The Cav55 is a pretty cool machine. There were two different styles - a single selection and a two selection. From my limited research, the two selections are highly sought after and I think under 1000 of the two selection machines were ever produced. Good Luck in your quest!

[loman4ec]

I have actually found someone local to me in Ohio that has a nice origional two selection 55 for sale. She wants $800 for it. If anyone is interested PM me and I will get you in contact with her. I am also available to pick it up and take care of shipping if needed but I am only here untill the 30th.

[shellynne]

Went through the manual for my machine and was able to "tally" all the parts I have except for four ... well, or one.  I have four of the attached.  One for each chute?

I have attached a picture of one of these parts next to a shim.  Up near the notch is the word "top".  At www.colafountain.com, under the C4-96F, there is a picture of these things in a box with the words "Do not throw away. Coca Cola spacers for cans to bottles."  So, my hope is that these four ... things play a rather critical part in setting up my machine for cans.

Am I on track or totally off base?  If I'm off base, what are these things?  There is no image of them in the manual (page 56 shows the parts of the vending machine assembly.

Thanks!  

Shelly

[collecture]

Shelly,
The part on the left is the spacer and the part on the right is the shim.
My understanding is that (at least for the C55-2) various combinations of shims and spacers were needed for setting the machine up to vend different size bottles. For example, the 12 oz. Crush bottle required no spacer and 2 shims on each side; the 7 oz. Grapette bottle required one spacer on each side along with 5 shims on one side and 6 on the other. My C55 manual says:
1. Use enough shims behind each formed side spacer to make the first two bottles form approximately a 30 degree angle on the raised portion of the formed side spacer.
2. When the third bottle is placed in the column, it should be above the raised portion of the formed side spacer and loose, with approximately 1/16 inch clearance between the second and third bottle.
The back spacer should be forward enough to keep the bottles stacked, but not tight.
These look different (longer) from the C-55 spacers and shims, but I would think their function and setup would be the same.

[collecture]

Hey Shelly,
Here is another Cav like yours!
Cavalier 1960's Dual shute coke machine nice

[shellynne]

Too cool, Tom!  I've just emailed them and asked if they would be willing to give me their phone number so we could 'walk' through our machines together.  I also asked for some good detailed pictures of the interior of the bottle/can stacks.  With any luck at all, I can maybe find out what parts are missing from my machine!  And, since yours is so similar to mine, maybe we can both get our machines to vend cans!!!!!!

Thanks so much!'>