Author Topic: Rotisserie balance point  (Read 781 times)

737driver

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Rotisserie balance point
« on: December 29, 2021, 11:30:41 PM »
Just curious if any one has ideas to find a reference point to balance the body on a rotisserie. Specifically, the balance pivot point so that the rotisserie can rotate the body easily and balanced.
Thanks,
Jim
1979 Trans Am- Heritage Brown -W72 (Pontiac 400) -4Speed-WS6
1972 LeMans Convertible
1977 Trans Am
1972 Firebird
2000 TransAm WS6
1968 Lemans Converible
1979 TransAm Gold WS6 400/4speed
1971 Firebird
1977 MGB  Roadster Convertible

firebirdparts

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Re: Rotisserie balance point
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2022, 11:30:58 AM »
I always though you'd have to do it on the rotisserie.  If you spend more, you can get one with an adjustable swing just for that.  Of course, if one person figured it out on a 2nd gen F-body and then told us, yeah, we'd all know then.  I've got one here, but never had a car on it.
I want to be like Paul Kenny when I grow up
Joe Bays
1977 Y82 4-speed (red interior)
1978 Skybird 350
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JJ 109

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Re: Rotisserie balance point
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2022, 01:42:35 PM »
There is a lot more mass at the floor than roof.

For a body shell, I would guesstimate 6-10” off the floor.

Set and adjust an inch or two at a time.
JJ
76 pro tour project
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roadking77

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Re: Rotisserie balance point
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2022, 02:43:05 PM »
Jim, I built my own rotisserie. I made brackets out of tube steel that mounted where the stub frame bolts to the body, and I made a plate with the same bolt pattern as the rear bumper welded to a piece of tube steel for the back. I have long ram hydraulic jacks to raise the car. It did not spin freely so I hooked up a come along winch and as I cranked on that it turned the car. Contrary to what it sounds like it was pretty safe, I had the bottom of the car at a 90 to the floor and every thing worked great. I will see if I have any pics of car rigged up.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
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chief poncho

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Re: Rotisserie balance point
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2022, 05:07:54 PM »
Jim, I attached mine to the front subframe holes in the body and into the rear bumper brackets.  It wasn't completely balanced, but close enough.  When I rotated the body I would just clamp down the rotisserie hold downs to keep it from rotating.  It worked out well for both the work I did on it and the work the shop did.  Here are some pictures.  The brackets for the front worked right out of the box.  For the rear mounts I used some boxed channel steel to make some brackets to bolt to the back side without damaging the sheetmetal.  It worked out well.  This was a used rotisserie I purchased from someone and then ended up trading to my body shop for labor for a few more dollars worth of work than I paid for it.







1971 Lucerne Blue Trans Am (455HO, Automatic) - currently my project car.
Previously Owned TA's/Musclecars: 2002 Pewter WS6/M6 Trans Am, 1968 Dodge Superbee 383/4speed,  1975 TA 455/4speed, 1989 Mustang LX 5.0/5speed, 1980 TA Indy Pace Car, 1977 TA 400/Auto, 1989 GTA 350TPI, 1990 GTA 350TPI, 1986 IROC 305TPI, 1989 Mustang LX 5.0/Auto, 1993 Mitsu 3000GT VR4 (and probably a few I've forgotten about)

Re: Rotisserie balance point
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2022, 05:07:54 PM »