I have recently got a 72 240z stripped down. I was interested in building a rotisserie unit to mount the car on while i do some restoration work. I have heard all you have to do is get 2 engine stands and build a jig to connect to the bumper mounts? Is this all there is to it? Has anyone done this and can give me some pointers on what to do? mabey some places on where to get the parts for this? Thanks.

Well. This is no rottisserie, but it serves the same function, and as a shop roll-around when its not up on its side. The "handles" can be slippid in either side of the roll-around, and using over center weight distribution, the handles then become the "feet" for the whole thing. I can give you more details if your interested in building one.

Phred

suntadz,

I have tried a rotisserie built from something like two engine stands and caused a fair bit of damage to the Ford Escort that was attached to it, as one stand tipped over :eek: (I didn't take any pics - I'll leave it to your imagination) While surveying the damage and feeling fairly depressed (and very dumb), I concluded that:

The track width of an engine stand is'nt wide enough to be stable.

For a rotisserie to work properly there needs to be a full frame underneath for the wheels to attach to, to stop them going in different directions.

Phred,

That thing looks like a great idea! How hard is it tip on its side with a Z body bolted to it? Can two peple do it?

Phred, I only see one thing wrong with your stand. Not everyone has THAT much room in their garage!! Let's see, if I add a second story, knock out the back wall.........hmmm.......

when using two engine stands, it is best to buy some steel square tube and connect the two stands. This adds stability.

Suntadz,

Look on my website... I have one that I built shown there. Plans are available.

http://www.geocities.com/kenshobnob

You can use 2 engine stands but there will be problems. The first being the height of the stands themselves. From the top of the legs to the center line of the rotation point needs to be about 34" for the sides of the body to clear the stands. Otherwise, the car won't even get on it's side. Also, the width of the engine stands are very stable with the car on them. They will want to rock from side to side. The width needs to be at least 3' at a minimum.

As for mounting the car, on the rear you can mount direct to the bumber mounts. Just make sure the brackets behind the rear valance panel are in good shape. (I had to replace mine before putting my car on the stands.) As for the front, the only good way to mount is to make a cradle for the front radiator support to sit into. There are threaded bolt holes in the bottom that you need to bolt to.

If you have any other questions, just give me a shout.

BTW, my stands/mounts will be for sale soon when I get them back from a friend.

I didn't have full rotation with my stands, but this shows how far I could go....

Paul Henley, of England, and a 240Z Club member, has designed and built a set of steel rotisserie stands that have served him well during his 3 year restoration project.

Due to my request, Paul has sent in a set of 19 photos with measurement overlays showing the construction of the stands. They will be published at ZPARTS.COM in the near future as an online slide show with text write-up from Paul.

You can see a preview of entire car body suspended on the stands in his garage at my Coming Attractions page

If anyone else knows of another quality rotisserie design for a Z car that I could feature alongside Paul's please contact Eric at zcarphotos@attbi.com

Eric Neyerlin - owner of ZPARTS.COM