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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - The journey begins (looking for a rotisserie)

Finally got the 1972 midget out of storage to begin it's re-birth, the inspection sticker expired in August 1985 (it's been a while). Planning a full strip & rebuild and intend to build a rotisserie using 2 engine stands. I am looking for any pictures, tips, etc. from anyone who may have built one. Thank you!
Stan Kowznofski

I made one recently, very simple. Just a few lengths of 20X50 box section, some tube and an index wheel made of 10mm aluminium cut with a jigsaw.
Picture attached.


P Simpson

P Simpson. Once again this bbs needs a "Like" button!
Greybeard

One thing worth thinking about, or at least being aware of, is how you will lift the car up high enough to fasten to the rotisserie stands. Especially if working on your own. Standard jacks won't lift high enough. You ideally need something like a hoist.
GuyW

I made a device that attaches to the rotisserie brackets and just lifts it up using a threaded rod, the brackets have numerous adjustment holes to tweak the balance point. I can take a photo tomorrow. I just copied the thing from some photos on the net.
P Simpson

Stan, I have my Sprite on two engine stands and find they are not ideal. They don't provide enough height to enable full rotation. I have two different engine stands, one has feet at the ends of a T shape, the other at the ends of a U shape. The T shape one is better as it allows most rotation but still not full rotation. The pedastal parts really need to be about 50% higher to get full rotation.
Also, pay attention to your centre of gravity. I nearly had a runaway situation when I first tried it due to a much too high centre of gravity.

I'll post images if you want a look see.

Rob
MG Moneypit

P Simpson: I like your stands, how stable are they front to rear? Much flex / shake when working. Any other pictures you could provide would be greatly appreciated. What did you attach to? I was thinking of the front bumper mounts, can't quite see what you attached to in the rear. I also don't see any internal bracing of the cockpit.

MG Mobetpit: As above, I'll take any pictures or descriptions you are willing to share. Not getting full rotation isn't a deal breaker, I'm just looking for some additional elevation so I don't have to crawl around on the floor and make it easier cleaning & detailing the underside when routing fuel & brake lines, etc. Where did you find the best center of gravity? What did you mount to & hardware sizes would help? Did you tie the 2 stands together to keep them from trying to shift apart?

Thanks all for all the info!
Stan Kowznofski

I built one many years ago. I tend to over design and over build. It is a 2 part system. The body is attached to a rolling frame at the engine mounts and the rear spring mounts. This is then mounted on the actual rotisserie that is also on wheels. I can do all of the body work and paint with out interference. I will be using it until late summer then you could borrow it. The down side is it is big and long but some of it does come apart. I live about 5 miles off of Route 8 in NW CT. If you are going with the engine stand design, you would be better off to build your own. More stable and you can make it what ever height you want. They should be connected together if it is going to roll. No photos right now.
J Bubela

If it's of any help, I have just checked the alignment of the rotisserie that my Frog resides on.

The C of G axis is 1" below the top of the number plate plinth recess at the rear. And at the front it is 7" above the bumper iron bolts in the sides of the chassis extensions. At the front there is a bracket welded to a pair of L shaped arms that bolt to the chassis extensions - shaped a bit like a miniature fork lift truck. The vertical part of the L being 7" long so the axis is this distance above the chassis rail bolts.

There is no bar or other connection between the rotisserie stands - the car itself provides that. The effect is that I can rotate the whole shell through 360 degrees with one hand and it will stay at whatever angle I stop it at. Though I do then put a locking pin in one of the rotisserie stands to keep it safe and steady.

This is a bare shell, without bonnet. Adding the doors seems to make little difference. A later "square bodied" car may be a bit different, especially if the front wings are still fitted, but I doubt it would be very far out.


GuyW

Stan, despite the simplicity they are nice and stable, certainly for grinding and welding and clouting bits, I didn't notice any significant shaking or wobbling.

I made brackets to attach the front to the engine mounts, the rear to the bumper mount holes.

The cockpit's not braced as it's solid and I'm not removing the sills, I wouldn't hang the shell off a rotisserie if I was doing that work, and it's off the rotisserie while I replace the front triangular sections as I don't want to risk any alignment issues there either.

P Simpson

Agreed with Paul. Mine didn't go onto the rotisserie until I had done all of the sill replacement, the rear bulkhead and had fitted the floors. The latter in particular keep the body from lozenging when its up on its side and subject to different stresses.
GuyW

Stan, this what I did at the rear. It's for a facelift MKIV Sprite, the one with the thin bumpers.

Rob


MG Moneypit

This is what I did at the front. I've still got to add some triangulation to the mounts but its ok at the moment with the body horizontal.

I'll get more end on views tomorrow.

Rob


MG Moneypit

Hi,

I made one using engine stands as well, doesn't go full way round but has certainly helped:

Got some photo's on my blog:

http://1965mgmidgetrestoration.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/part-tilt-midget.html

Good luck

James
James Paul

Stan, forgot to upload these two images showing balance points for Midget on two engine stands. I can now get full vertical angle now by utilizing the slots in the end plate of the engine stand at the back of the car. I loosen the bolts and slide it left or right depending on which way I want to rotate. This gives me enough clearance to get the shell vertical.

Image one is balance point at rear.

Rob


MG Moneypit

The next is the front. Although it doesn't look it the engine plate on the stand is vertical.

Rob


MG Moneypit

This thread was discussed between 28/05/2017 and 11/06/2017

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