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MG MGB Technical - Wanted: Plans for building a rotisserie

Hello.
I've decided that restoring/modifying the underside of my MGB convertible will be that much easier if I can flip it over. I'm looking at building some kind of a rotisserie. I've searched the archives, but unfortunately most of the links are old and no longer work. I would like to keep the cost to a bare minimum. I have good fabrication and welding skills and can probably dream something up, but I would prefer to copy somebody's that has already been proven and tested. It's also important that I be able to rotate the car 360 degrees BY MYSELF as it's unlikely I'll have anybody around to help me when I need it. Ideas, thoughts, pictures would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

Scott
Scott Wooley

Scott

Send me your email address and I will send you a number of files on the subject.

Larry

Lawrence Hallanger

Larry,could you also please send the file to my e-mail address
Many Thanks
rgds Trevor Burnett
t burnett

with an email address I can send you my plans. Built three of them and they seem to work OK. Last one was $238 for steel (prices have gone WAY up) plus wheels and some nuts and bolts.
T Lea

Forgot the picture!!

T Lea

Hi Larry,sorry trevor@safxmarine.co.za
Rgds Trevor Burnett
t burnett

Scott,
I built one using 2 engine stands. They will easily carry the weight of a bare body. I used some rectangular steel tubing to extend the upright of the stands so that the body could rotate without hitting the floor. Just cut the uprights and slide the cut ends into the extension piece and cross bolt or weld both ends. Assuming the stands are 3-wheelers the front wheel needs to be removed to get the axes of rotation horizontal and in line as engine stands tend to lean back a bit

As I already had one engine stand it only cost me around
£70 and one day to build it. If someone can tell me how to attach an image I can send a photo!

John

John Tampkins

Here's my work email. T Lea: That looks nice. I'm curious how you get the car onto there. Is that bottom frame fully welded?

Thanks all
Scott Wooley

John: You must be logged in as a member. Then you'll find the 'upload image' message at the bottom of the page.
Tom

One more design, and it will unbolt and store in a fairly small area. http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Auto-Body-Rotisserie.htm
Bill Young

Scott,I built the one from Tom's plans and i have been very happy with it. (6 months ago) and the steel cost me $219.00.Get yourself four-five guys and you lift it up to the ht. you need it at.I just had my 1972 MGB acid dipped and e-coated.....really Great job.Its like it just rolled off the line with no rust or grease or crap on her.Good luck,Rich
rich osterhout

Thanks Tom. Here is the picture of one end of my engine stand-based roller described in my comment above.

J Tampkins

Glad you liked the stand. I use a floor jack to raise and lower the shell. Normally when I get it to turning height it stays there until paint time tho.

Curious Rich: What did it set you back for the dip and ecoat? I'm doing a 73 that the PO was the inventer of rust. Thought that after I get the new panels on I'd look into that process.
om

om,It cost me $2000.00 for the whole thing.Had it done in Detroit,Mich.How high does your floor jack go!!!!!
rich osterhout

om,what year is your car?
rich osterhout

Drive a '68 (the one in the picture) and have 35 years of rust on the rotisserie right now (a 73). Floor jack goes as high as the adapters I built for it to jack and let the car down on the rack.

Hmmmmm Don't know what happened to the "T" on my name. Must have out-typed the keyboard.
Tom

You must have left the "T" off,thats why i put "om"!!Tom,tell me more about your "adapters you built.Have a Happy Holiday(merry Christmas)
rich osterhout

Heres a picture of one I made. It mounts to the bumper irons on the back and a similar one witout the sector plate to the side of the chassis rails at the front, using the bumper mount holes.

I made it in a day and the car sat in it for about 6 or 7 years while I worked on it. The best thing I did.

MD Johnson

MD,did you remove any rockers/floorpans,etc. while on the rotisserie.Wondering if it fkexed/sagged in the middle while on it???Thanks,Rich O
rich osterhout

To avoid sagging you need to make up 2 bracing bars to bridge the door gaps. I made them using small rectangular plates bolted where the lock and upper hinges go with 1 inch square tubes welded between them. The other thing is to do only one side at a time so the other floor, sill and transmission tunnel keep everything in the right place.
J Tampkins

Thanks for your comments. Tom, I have built one based roughly on your plans. I have it 95% finished. I have only the front adapters to make. I used 1/2" fine thread pinch bolts all around. Couple of questions though...
My floor jack will need an adapter of some kind to get the car to that height. What did you do? Also, I would like to leave the rear end in place while it's on here. I overbuilt my rotisserie so it will handle easily the weight of several MGBs, however, I'm not so sure about the strength of the studs at the rear. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Scott.

P.S. As soon as I get it completed I'll post pics...it turned out great. Thanks again for your help.
Scott Wooley

I built a rotiss for my 72 MGB, best thing I ever did!

But I got it up to the mounting height, and down to the floor - using a engine hoist. I ran a chain thru the gearshift hole, and around the crossmember. The car is nearly balanced at this point.

Anyone care to take a look - check out the member's REAL RIDES - Drew's MGB on www.kcslammers.com (a model car club)

Cheers!
drew h

This thread was discussed between 15/12/2008 and 30/01/2009

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