Whats the best way to swap the blower motor?

[haro1225]

I got a new blower motor and I am about to try to put it in, but it looks like a really tight fit. I did it on the 97 when I first got it, and I don't remember how I did it. Is there anything I should take off to make more clearance?

[00Beast]

If you haven't, the Strut Tower Bar.

[haro1225]

The strut tower bar is off, and I got half the bolts off the blower and as I take them off the cover for it is just breaking apart. Will it be alright to run without that until i can find another?

[sonoma_zr2]

yes, stuff a towel in the hole, go to the parts store. don't mess with a used one.

[olblueeyesbonne]

Travis -I think he's talking about the shield/cover that goes over the blower motor. As far as that -it is more of a heat sheild from the engine/exhaust heat. You can run without it, but it will cause premature blower failure. I suggest getting a new cover from a junkyard car, if you can find one still in the car that wasn't damaged when the engine was removed.
You might need to uninstall the rear engine bracket for removing the engine. Also, try to rock the car in park to rotate the engine forward for a little extra clearance.
Will still be a tight squeeze, but not too hard.

[haro1225]

Yeah I was talking about the cover. I bought the blower motor at autozone.(I work there so I get 20% off). Anyways, I took that bracket off and I got the old one outta there. Now time to warm up and then put in the new one. Thanks guys.

[bill buttermore]

There is one critical part that you don't want to leave off or run without. It is the rubber tube that connects to the blower motor from the heater ductwork. Its function is to provide cooling air to the motor so the bearings don't fail prematurely. As you can see, the motor sits right above the exhaust and without the tube in place, the hot air from the exhaust will be sucked into your new motor and make short work of the bearings. IIRC, the rubber tube used with the motor cover (yours disintegrated, you said) is a little different than those used with cars without the cover. So, if your old one is missing or damaged, order a new tube with the new cover. It is also a good idea to make sure the original heat shield is in place. If not, you can fabricate your own from heavy duty aluminum foil to reflect heat away from the motor. If you have to wait a while to get a new tube and cover, you can probably rig something up with duct tape and heater hose. Just sayin....

[haro1225]

I was wondering what that was. I have some time before work tomorrow and I'll get to making something with the foil. I am off saturday so I'll start the hunt in the junkyards then for a cover. I have the tube still. And if I dont find one in the junkyard ill go for the new stuff.

[haro1225]

Just came back from the junkyard, there was a 96-99 SE and the engine was pulled and the cover is brand new, so I got it. Behind it was an almost new blower motor. Must have been replaced recently. And right next to the SE was an Olds Eighty Eight with no engine and an undamaged blower cover. That way if I somehow fook this one up there is a spare one. Now outside I go in 16 degrees to put it on.

[1fatcat]

Burr. It's still 21 degrees warmer there than it is here. -5*F