Any ideas how to get this bad boy off?

[73Polara360]

Finally managed to get the fender off and the blower motor out, I had to cut the wires But there wasn't any other way, I'll make sure I solder them back with heat shrink and all that good stuff but now I can't get the squirrel cage off the motor so I can send it out for a rebuild. Any ideas?

Edit:
Also, if it's alive, should I not be able to bump test it with a 9-volt battery? Seems quite dead to me but I wonder if it needs a clean 12 volts or not?

The other day I was playing with a air flow direction actuator from my other car and I was able to test it with a 9-volt battery so I feel like if this thing had any life in it it would at least twitch on a 9-volt battery but I could be wrong

Edit 2:
For reference, I was able to get the inner fender off without jacking the car up or taking off the wheel. So in the future, for 1973 Polara, if anyone has need to access the blower motor it is possible to do in your driveway with hand tools.

 

[Samplingman]

It’s pressed on. I think I used a large 3 prong puller that pushed in on the shaft and pulled up on the sides. I know it was stuck on there pretty good, but it eventually slid off.

 

[CBODY67]

For good luck, might get a spare blower wheel that is vaned the correct direction.

Otherwise, you can split the center of the wheel where it contacts the shaft. Old plastic can become brittle and break easily too. That puller which puts force on the outside of the wheel looks like "trouble" to me . . . BUT it seems that if anything can go wrong, even trying for it not to, it does for me.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[WissaMan]

How about a LITTLE bit of heat, not enough to melt but just to slightly expand the plastic and make it slightly less brittle?

 

[413]

You have an electric motor that need a lot of amps to run, I don't think a 9 volt battery has enough to do the job.

Don't you have another car there to get 12 volts from?

 

[73Polara360]

I will try bump testing it off the battery next chance I get, I do have some alligator clips. But it seems very much to be dead as a doornail.

I have access to a heat gun, I could try that but I wouldn't want to warp the plastic either. If I get it off, have the motor rebuilt and it doesn't go back on nicely that would be a real shame. At this point I'm wondering whether getting it rebuilt is worth it, or, if buying a new one with a squirrel cage attached, is the way to go...

 

[413]

May not get the right squirrel cage, just a generic one.

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

Finally managed to get the fender off and the blower motor out, I had to cut the wires But there wasn't any other way, I'll make sure I solder them back with heat shrink and all that good stuff but now I can't get the squirrel cage off the motor so I can send it out for a rebuild. Any ideas?

Edit:
Also, if it's alive, should I not be able to bump test it with a 9-volt battery? Seems quite dead to me but I wonder if it needs a clean 12 volts or not?

The other day I was playing with a air flow direction actuator from my other car and I was able to test it with a 9-volt battery so I feel like if this thing had any life in it it would at least twitch on a 9-volt battery but I could be wrong

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View attachment 736152

Put your jumper cables on it or just a piece of scrap wire

 

[Samplingman]

These motors are so simple. If it doesn’t work a tear down and cleaning will get it spinning like new.

 

[3C's & a D?]

I'd try popping it off using two bars facing eachother as close to the shaft as possible. You could also try clamping two pieces of metal to a bench with a gap in between, slide the fan/motor in (gap should match axle diameter roughly) so that the fan is supported and tap the shaft down. If you mess up your fan, earlier cars had steel ones that I imagine would be the same size.

 

[live4theking]

To add some life to the plastic you could oil a pot of water just deep enough to cover the squirrel cage. Boil the water then put the cage in it and let it sit for about 10 minutes.

 

[Gerald Morris]

To add some life to the plastic you could oil a pot of water just deep enough to cover the squirrel cage. Boil the water then put the cage in it and let it sit for about 10 minutes.

VERY CLEVER!

 

[73Polara360]

The shop that rebuilds these has everything they need and advised me to keep the squirrel cage on so as not to damage it so that's peace of mind, would have been nice to get it off myself but they are very confident they will get it off without issue so that's good. If they did break it I'm sure they'd be willing to replace it as it's a reputable place that comes on recommendation.

Good point about the battery, not enough amperage there so I will hook it up to the car battery tomorrow. I brought it inside and the 9 volt was all I had but upon reflection that wouldn't be enough to make it twitch.

 

[jmustian]

I bought a new motor for my 300 with the fan on it. Don't remember where

 

[Milo]

Some wooden wedges each side behind the fan

 

[73Polara360]

I thought I'd replied by I guess I forgot to hit post .

I bench tested this yesterday at work to 12v and the proper amperage and.... It works lol

After all that ..
I'm happy it works, and .... Now I have a verified electrical gremlin because this means it was likely working all along and now I have to trace where the issue is.l,.which I thought I'd ruled out.