Tilting the Break to welding position

[rmattila]

Any ideas on how to get a BX on its side without causing excessive damage to side panels? ("Wait for the snowy season" is not an option this time.. )

[citsncycles]

I've heard of people tipping cars onto both old tyres and old mattresses, but wouldn't want to guarantee zero damage.

I've also seen a variety of tilters, one of which you could perhaps build yourself. One consists of a pair of A frames that attach to either subframe or bumper mounts at each end of the car, with the car high enough to be rotated spit like in the middle. Another is a frame that bolts to the hubs on one side that allows the car to be rolled sideways.

If you are going to tip the car that far over, I'd recommend removing the engine and gearbox in order to avoid fluid spillage and stress to engine mounts and the bodyshell.

[rmattila]

Mounting the frame to the hubs would be my choice, but not suitable for this particular case, since I'll have to remove the rear subframe in order to gain access to the area in need of welding. Bumper mounts, on the other hand, seem a little thin to carry the entire car.

[citsncycles]

I suppose you could remove the tailgate and build a frame that picked up on the hinges and catch plate for the back. At the front you could use the wishbone mounts.

Is it gone by the actual subframe mounts, or just an area hidden by the frame? If the mounts are sound, you could pick up on those, making sure that whatever you build is clear of the work area.

[Mothman]

I rolled my Morris Minor onto an old tractor tyre to do some welding and this caused no damage whatsoever.

Andy

[citronut]

I rolled my Morris Minor onto an old tractor tyre to do some welding and this caused no damage whatsoever.

Andy

yes but older cars were made out of thicker metal back then,

i dont think i would want to stand a moder car on its side body panels,

also i dont think a mattress would be any good as when welding there is lots of sparks/ welding splatter,

might get just a teeny bit hot ( great balls of fire come to mind )

just lay on you back and get stuck in ( great fun welding upside down )

regards malcolm

[Kitch]

( great fun welding upside down )

regards malcolm

No it's not. We cannot even joke about this. It sucks!

[rmattila]

A frame between the front hubs, and a bale of insulation wool to cushion the rear might be one compromise solution.

I've been welding that rear section upwards every second year, but that road has come to end, and a thorough rebuild can't be delayed any more.

[Defender110]

I look forward to the great invention you obviously have in mind and intend to build!

[Mothman]

You could actually buy a frame especially made for a Morris Minor and bolt it to the wheel hubs and then roll the car to any angle you required.
Probably could get one made up for a BX. Wonder if they still make these frames?

Andy

[rmattila]

You could actually buy a frame especially made for a Morris Minor and bolt it to the wheel hubs and then roll the car to any angle you required.
Probably could get one made up for a BX. Wonder if they still make these frames?

Making a frame like that would be trivial:



The problem is where to attach it if you want to remove the rear subframe. Welding it to rear door rear frame could perhaps be one possibility.

[citsncycles]

remove the door and striker plate and you have 3 points to attach a frame to

[Vanny]

when i started pulling a valver shell apart for a trailer build, i rolled it onto a massive piece of foam, it was an old crash mat from a gym. Only damage it did was to clean one side of the car. Must be added though that the shell had no mechanicals (not even sub frames) so was relatively light, and i rolled it by hand.

[Dollywobbler]

My old 2CV specialist used to roll 2CVs onto piles of tyres. You can't say that a 2CV bodyshell has any strength to it! Think he took the doors off, so the roof and A, B and C posts took the strain such as it was. I do agree that you'd want the engine/box out before doing this.

[KevR]

I'd go 90 degrees to the suggestions so far. All fluids drained, remove front bumper etc, and lift the car onto its nose - maybe make up a jig to attach to front hubs so it pivots there.