Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mike Heagney on January 17, 2005, 04:15:30

Title: Centre of rotation
Post by: Mike Heagney on January 17, 2005, 04:15:30

Hi again,
After replacing structural floor panels I want to place the body shell on a rotisserie.
Has any group member done this. Finding an axis line through the body shell in order for it to rotate smoothly is somewhat of a guess.
A measurement at relevant positions,front and rear, would be a big help from anyone who has done the exercise.
Cheers,
Mike.

64 230 auto. RHD...in boxes.

Title: Re: Centre of rotation
Post by: hands_aus on January 17, 2005, 06:01:31

Hey Mike

Have a look at this topic

http://index.php?topic=944

there are some photos for you to look at

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

Title: Re: Centre of rotation
Post by: Malc on January 17, 2005, 06:20:23

Mike,
Although I have not put the old girl on the barbie yet I have done this with a couple of other cars: MGA and BMW 2002Tii

In both cases I found that the bumper level is about the right place
The BMW shell tended to want to sit upside down, but the balance was close enough to be able to rotate it easily by hand.

However I did NOT attach my homemade system to the bumper mount points as they are a bit weak especially the rear of the BMW 2002.

I made up arms which passed through various apertures and then bolted onto the shell at strong points. So at the rear the arms were "cranked" through where the lights are, down through the boot floor where the tank usually sits and then attached to the rear axle mounting points. At the front I went through the grill area and then made a bracket to where the engine subframe bolts on. All looked abit ugly but worked!

Make sure that the car is high enough so it will rotate through 360 degrees. I made "locks" on my system to prevent it rolling when being moved up and down.

Cheers
Malc

Title: Re: Centre of rotation
Post by: rwmastel on January 17, 2005, 08:00:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mike Heagney

Hi again,
After replacing structural floor panels I want to place the body shell on a rotisserie.
Has any group member done this. Finding an axis line through the body shell in order for it to rotate smoothly is somewhat of a guess.

---

Mike,
In addition to the link provided to the Group Member who has done this, you might want to contact restorers and ask how they do it.

http://www.silverstarrestorations.com/tour.htm
http://www.silverstarrestorations.com/services.htm


Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

Title: Re: Centre of rotation
Post by: Mike Heagney on January 18, 2005, 03:32:00

Thanks for the very useful info Rod, Malc and Bob.
After the structural floor sections have been fixed,I intend to use the bumper mounts to hold the car.
At the moment it stands on the rear axle and a 60 litre drum holding the trans tunnel where the gear box lived.
When still on 4 wheels I made braces to each door opening to prevent any flexing.
I,ll post some photos when ready.
Cheers,
Mike.