(BTW this site is amazing. If it didn't exist I don't know how I would be doing what I'm doing. I am learning as I go...everyday is a winner!)


I am replacing the blower motor, can anyone recommend a good brand? Also, would the new motor accept the original fan wheel? The old fan wheel looks perfect and it seems to be a shame to just toss it.

 

We might need to know what model are you working on?

In my experience, the new motor should accept the old wheel. I say that, because every motor I've replaced didn't come with a new wheel. Brands, I don't know, just what ever the parts store has.

 

I'm working on a 1980 Cutlass Supreme, V6 with a lot a pep surprisingly.

It sounds like any new motor will work. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

The fan wheel is held on with a spring washer, and it will come off but likely you'll break the washer in the process. Most new fan motors don't come with the wheel impeller, so save the old impeller and just install it on the new motor with a new spring washer. Easy fix. I assume your car has AC?

Rockauto has them with impeller for anywhere from 38 - 60 bucks.

O'Reilly's
has them with impeller for 46.00 and without for 16.00

 

Cool.


One last thing if anyone reads this far. When I took the blower motor off I notice that there was some old gasket or silicone on the plate, I cant tell exactly as its really deteriorated. I guess its there to to keep it all watertight and probably help with vibration. What should I use when I put it back?

 

I use RTV. I think the factory used dumdum.

- Eric

 

I use 3M strip caulk rolled out thin. Very handy stuff to have around the garage

 

Strip caulk is what the factory used. You can also use something just as easy - plumbers putty.

Eric - only dumdum I ever heard of was in school and on the toons....

 

Dum dum is a type of non-hardening putty - I guess like what you're calling "strip caulk," which I've never heard of.

- Eric

 

All the big holes (firewall area) in every fifties era car that I ever worked on were loaded with dumb dumb and it would still be flexible a 1/2 century after it was installed...Tedd

 

Any motor should work fine and you can reuse your fan as long as the part is made correctly. If it fails sooner, at least it is simple to replace in these models (assuming it has AC).
3M strip calk is my favorite sealer. Used it for lots of automotive uses.

 

I guess I have a choice between the dumdum, the strip calk and some stuff called RTV sealant. I think I want to try the RTV.


I want to thank everyone who posted their thoughts, you've all been a lot of help.

 

For fun I looked into the DumDum. It is no longer available due to the shortage of natural resources that it's made from.


That stuff must have been the best.

 

Hmm, maybe dum dum was made from Do do's - another extinct breed..

 

Lol