Automotive Rotisserie Question

'68 Coronet R/T

'68 Coronet R/T

Oldtimer
I have never used a rotisserie before and decided I needed one before my knees go out from kneeling on concrete.
After assembly I attached it to the car and did the following.

- Set the jacks to the same height.
- Adjusted the mount height so the car is level front to back.

The problem I am having is how to get the car centered and balanced so I can rotate it?

Rotisserie.JPG


Rotisserie Rear.JPG
 
You want it to rotate about its center of gravity. Looking at your pics it is rotating about a point too high. Raise the body up to get it balanced. That is what the jack screws are for. Raise both ends the same amount.

Hope this makes sense.

Don
 
About 1/3 of the way up from the total height of the body is what I found a good starting point, as most of the mass is at the bottom. Looks like you need to go up about 4 inches to get close.
 
Good luck with it '68. I just built one and am getting ready to mount my first car to it. I got the plans from a Very Knowledgeable guy on this forum...
 
Thanks guys, I thought maybe it was too low but wasn't sure if I should raise it with the hydraulic jacks or the screw handles?
 
I’ve got two rotisseries (and both full at the moment.) The pivot on your rotisserie is where your center of gravity needs to be. You kind of need to eyeball it but I find it’s right about the top of the transmission tunnel.

You need to raise or lower the vertical arm that is attached to the horizontal arms supporting the car. I go one hole at a time. Adjust the front by one hole and move to the back side and do that by one hole.

When the top of your transmission tunnel is about at your rotation point then unlock the rotation and slowly start to swing it each direction. If it is properly balanced it should swing effortlessly like a pendulum using just one arm. If you have to push it pretty hard to get it vertical then you’re not balanced and risk tipping. Determine whether your center of gravity is too high or too low and adjust accordingly.

You can see here where the center point of gravity runs through on this car on one of my rotisseries.

0F419AB9-C5F0-417E-A1E3-1D687A132B0E.jpeg
 
'68 Coronet R/T said:
Thanks guys, I thought maybe it was too low but wasn't sure if I should raise it with the hydraulic jacks or the screw handles?
Click to expand...
The jacks are only for establishing your working height. The screw handles are for establishing your center of gravity.

Once you have your center of gravity set you can raise it or lower it to your working comfort level with the hydraulic jacks. You just don’t want it too low that it hits the horizontal support bar on the floor or too high that it will hit something on the ceiling when flipped vertical.
 
You’ll find you’ll probably need to crank them almost all of the way up.

Also I never store it vertical. I always let it
Back down to rest horizontally when I’m done working for the day to avoid any undue stress on the body.

Look at their position on each of these and you’ll notice the trend:


B3737692-4755-4BC4-B63A-6E8C5DA35CD9.jpeg


67387A4F-FF88-4416-B871-C844542BD2E0.jpeg


F2F16EC2-B967-4150-8E31-5E3C98937EDA.jpeg
 
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Lizer said:
Also I never store it vertical. I always let it
Back down to rest horizontally when I’m done working for the day to avoid any undue stress on the body.
Click to expand...
I did the same. And even set some blocks in the middle for it to rest on overnight, since it was suspended at the extreme ends. Didn't want any stress or stretching. Probably an overkill, but it made me feel good.
Rotisserie on blocks.jpg


Same as other comments on the center of gravity point. Mine was at similar level. Very easy to spin.

Rotisserie 1.jpg
 
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'68 Coronet R/T said:
I bought it from a place in Gilbert, Arizona called Quick Lift USA.
They quoted me $2000 delivered but I got the "cash" price and went and picked it up for $1550.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I think that's a very good price for that unit. I really like the additional black outrigger extension with the orange ball handle.

Looks well built.
 
be careful . get it too far and it will spin upside down in a hurry. i built my own but never put jacks on it. not like i use it every week.
 

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Yes, I will definitely move slow on this.
Certainly don't want to damage anything.

Plan to work on it today, so I will post a progress report.
 
i went too far with a truck cab and once i started to check it the thing rolled over and banged the cab on the floor. couldn't stop it. just glad it was not a tri five or something heavier. if i were to use mine alot i would finish it with jacks.
 
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