structural support when hanging car in rotisserie?

[nr1freak]

quick question...

before i hang my '70 barracuda up in the rotisserie, should i add some structural reinforcements ? i heard putting in the K-member is a thing to do but will that do? the car is completely dismantled so no doors, frontfenders, etc..

also, is it safe to weld or bolt in subframe connectors when it's up in the rotisserie?

thx!

[rhamson]

I think it depends on how much structure you are replacing (floors, firewalls, roof and such) and in what combination before you have to cross support the inner structure.  I put my frame strengthening in with the car on its side so the body would not be twisted or sag.  It worked for me.  The measurements are fine and it sits level.  The K frame is very heavy as are other things such as the doors besides the fact that you don't want the damage that could be incurred when one opens while rotating the car.  If you are replacing any unibody structural things I would cross support it.

[nr1freak]

i'm changing the trunk floor, extensions, valance and quarter panels now, but the car is set on stands on the chassis -front middle and back, but when all is welded i would like to hang it in the rotisserie and put 'm on his side to be able to use lead on the quarterpanel seams and weld in the subframe connectors... definitely not putting in the doors or anything!
 think i'll just weld in some crossbeams so i can sleep at night...

[Topcat]

Put the frame connectors on first while it's on jack stands. Use 6 to 8 stands making sure the complete frame is supported level all the way down the car.

Tack in the connectors well.
Now it should be fine to put on the rotisseries and finish up once it's on.

[72bluNblu]

Yeah I think I'd be inclined to at least tack in the subframe connectors before I put it on the rotisserie. Normal recommended procedure for installing subframe connectors is to support the car by the suspension points, so that the car is sitting as it does on the ground. Reason for that is the car may not actually sit with the frame level, so installing the connectors with everything supported can actually change the body alignment. Now, if you want the frame level, and don't mind possibly having to re-fit the doors and fenders to get the proper alignment, then level is how I would do it.

[nr1freak]

  i see, so perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to hang in the doors when leveling out the frame, just to be sure everything lines out before i start stiffening the whole thing with the frame connectors...

[rhamson]

Yeah I think I'd be inclined to at least tack in the subframe connectors before I put it on the rotisserie. Normal recommended procedure for installing subframe connectors is to support the car by the suspension points, so that the car is sitting as it does on the ground. Reason for that is the car may not actually sit with the frame level, so installing the connectors with everything supported can actually change the body alignment. Now, if you want the frame level, and don't mind possibly having to re-fit the doors and fenders to get the proper alignment, then level is how I would do it.

If you have an intact coupe body with all the panels permanantly welded in place it is okay to attach the frame connectors with the body in a 90 degree position on the rottisserie as all the torsional support is lateral and not horizontal.  If you are replacing a panel it would never be advisable to do it while the car is on a rottisserie even if you cross supported the interior as the trunk and interior floor is the frame.  As I said I had a good rustfree body to start with and the rottisserie mounted frame connectors haven't changed anything with regards to the straightness of the body and frame.

[72bluNblu]

If you have an intact coupe body with all the panels permanantly welded in place it is okay to attach the frame connectors with the body in a 90 degree position on the rottisserie as all the torsional support is lateral and not horizontal.  If you are replacing a panel it would never be advisable to do it while the car is on a rottisserie even if you cross supported the interior as the trunk and interior floor is the frame.  As I said I had a good rustfree body to start with and the rottisserie mounted frame connectors haven't changed anything with regards to the straightness of the body and frame.

Oh I agree, not saying it can't be done correctly that way. It's just that I would suspect that most folks that are doing a rotisserie restoration probably don't have intact, rust free cars to start with. And in that case I would prefer to at least tack the connectors solidly into the frames while it was on the ground to add some additional stability before putting it on the rotisserie to finish the installation.