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Restoration on a Rotisserie

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M

mylesw

Jedi Hopeful
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Hello

My bodyman's having trouble working out how to attach my TR4 body to his rotisserie as he is unable to find any strongpoints to attach to. Has anyone done this before and if so, would you be able to attach some photos so we can see how it is done?

Thanks

Myles
 
Hang in there. Someone will be here with an answer soon.

And welcome to the Triumph Forum!
 
I'd start looking for a new bodyman. Seriously!
 
Myles-

Is your bodyman putting it on a rotisserie to change out the floor pans? If so, I think that is a risky operation. Given the amount of flex on these bodies, I would be concerned about what bodywork you are doing and how you will ensure proper panel fit when everything is back on the frame. The best rotisserie in my mind is the frame itself (opinion only, no first hand experience)

Regards,
Randy
 
Not so easy on a TR3 or 4 as there are no structural members to tie the rotisserie in to. MGB OTOH is easy to bolt up to the subframe.

I think that all you can do is to contruct a structural member to attach the rotisserie to. In the front maybe look a the cross brace mounts between the shock towers and extent this forward. In the rear, maybe build a support in the spare tire well and brace between and extend to the rear.

A true bodyman's dilemma unless he is a fabricator as well.

I agree, floor replacement should NOT be done this way. But it is a good way to do underneath. Don built tub reinforcements on his TR3 and then, with the help of friends, flipped his tub over and rested it on the reinforcements. Not exactly a rotisserie but the results are roughly the same.
 
There is a book available, called "how to restore Triumph TR2 & TR3" by Roger Williams that details how one should replace all of the body parts. I agree with previous posters, the 2 & 3, do not have enough strong points to use the rotisserie. This is a good book to have, to do a frame off restoration with. It details the way to brace the body after you get everything alligned to move it. It truly is a kind of loosy goosy body to move around before it is on the frame.

Good luck, Tinkerman
 
All

Thanks for all your posts. The body's actually in pretty good shape with minimal rust, the only area that may need some attention is the battery box and possibly one of the inner rocker panels that has been patched at some time. Anyway, I've managed to find some photos of a TR250 body on a rotisserie which I have sent to my body man to see how he gets on. I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks

Myles
 

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That looks like nervous work to me. I would have expected some bracing (e.g. across the top of the cockpit) rather than just relying on the doors to keep it from sagging.

But then, I have never done this.
 
Hi There Myles;

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif with Geo Hahn:

Looks as though there should be an "L" beam bolted between the Dash & the Boot area on ea. side of the car to prevent any flexing: The doors alone won`t prevent the car from flexing:

I too have never done this to a TR4 but have done it to an MGA: A friend of mine is restoring a TR3 and also has done the same thing: "L" beams on both sides of the car in the Cockpit area:

Best Wishes;

Russ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif
 
If when restoring a car, if one has the luxury of using a rotisserie, you would throw rocks at any other approach. Of course you need the room to work, ie, a very large shop, but it makes the work oh so much easier. Especially for those of us with old backs and joints. My buddy up the road has such a shop and used a rotisserie to restore his TR4A (as well as his co-worker's 240Z). Welding upside-down is no fun at all. Made working on any little defect in the body a dream to get to. Not to mention when it came time to paint. And yes, he braced every part of the body, especially A to B pillars and cross braces. In my next life, I will have such a shop.
 
Rotisserie's are for unibody cars!!! To put a full frame convertible on one is asking for trouble. Its easy to build a cradle out of steel or wood that will serve the purpose better. The only draw-back is to move the girl once to cover all areas with paint.I agree with Dan, get a new bodyman....
MD(mad dog)
 
I went to a guy's place here on Long Island a couple of years ago to pick up some TR3 doors he was selling. In his garage, he had a TR3 on a rotisserie. The cockpit was braced, and he made a 'frame' that the body bolted to. The whole deal was put into the rotating end frames which he had balanced very well.

It is possible to do a TR on a rotisserie, but it just takes a bit more work to set things up properly.
 
Finally got my TR4 onto the rotisserie. Here is a pic of how it was done. Thanks for all your help and comments.

Myles
 

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Looks like they provided good bracing. I think that is not worst than lifting the body from the frame. I know I will go with a rotisserie if I do another body off. I found plans for one on ebay, that I think many of us have the skills to build for a couple of hundred dollars in materials. By that time, I was about through with the body prep.
You are off to a good start, good luck.
 
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