Wc-78md can conversion?

[joesquid]

Can the westinghouse WC-78 vend cans or be easily modified to do so?  It was an interesting question raised by a friend and I honestly have had no experience with westinghouse machines so I thought I'd pop this question to the more knowledgeable out there.

Thanks for the time!

[johnieG]

Yes! ( having owned one of each, a 102MD, a 78MD, and a
the WC60MD you'll see in the soda machines section I still have one WC102MD/Coke lightup), what Westinghouse did to convert them was to add a 2-1/2 inch "Z" shaped spacer to that fit into the crown slot at the rear of the rack-spacers
(that normally adjust the racks for various length bottles, crown to the rear) it ran the length of the crown slot,so that with the racks at their forward most postion,(as if for a 6oz. size bottle) it will accept a 12oz can. (steel back then, & aluminum now.)  you may also use a piece of 1"x2-1/2" wood to serve the same purpose. (in fact if you remove the O.E.M. spacers, the machine will convert back to bottles. or vend any combination at once) there is also a small adjustment to the vending gate/wires at the bottom of the rack area, I'll dig out my racks & post some Pic's when I get a chance. it makes these machines very versatile. ( but it doesn't make them any lighter to get down the basment stairs!  )

JohnieG

[Bob K]

I can attest to the task of getting a 102-MD down a flight of steep basement stairs.  When we finally finished, I had to search around the floor for what was left of my testes  '> .

Although I don't know what was more painful - getting that machine into the basement or realizing now that maybe I should have asked more than $50.00 for it (it was in fantastic shape).  Oh well, this was before ebay and it took me forever just to get someone to bite for the $50.00!!

I'm on the prowl for a nice light-up 78 (or better yet the 60).

Bob