Help with heater repair!

[Rexx66]

Can someone link me to a thread that shows the entire heater removal process ( removing the 5 bolts, cables, ect...)

I searched and didn't find anything that helps me.

I am getting heat from my heater, but its sounds like the squirrel in my squirrel cage fan has died and his bones are rattling around... in other words my fan needs to be replaced. Plan on upgrading the motor too even though its ok I think..

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

FYI, 1979 CJ5

 

[gert]

Its a pretty simple deal easier if you pull the dash loose and support it out of the way. Like 4-5 bolts 2 hoses easier to pull the top plenum which is 6 rusty screws under the cowl vent
heater core removal no pics:
Need HELP with Heater Core!! - JeepForum.com
blower upgrade several pics of the whole thing:
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/my-blazer-heater-blower-motor-upgrade-5150/

 

[Rexx66]

Thanks for the links. I got mine out yesterday with a few choice words but overall wasn't near as bad as I thought it would've been. I had My father in law help which he said brought back memories working on an old Chevy truck he had.

The verdict on mine was a few things.. The plastic fan was cracked, the motor was shot(barely spun around) and it was hitting the internal plastic parts on the heater box because it had came loose somehow. It had a PN on it and said was made in 95, so it wasn't the original. Took it to the local advance auto parts for size comparison, and had them do a search on the almighty popular 73 blazer motor, no luck. The only one they had close to it was special order...

I ended up getting another motor/fan combo they did have in stock but it is way bigger and requires some box modding. I got the grinder out and made the circle bigger where the fan pokes through, NOT where it mounts in( that part was fine).

I will upload some pictures and video to help others like me who need a more definitive set of instructions... Will also get part numbers and such too... Keep yer eyes peeled

 

[PaRenegade]

Here's one I always thought had great pics with it.
CJ Heater Box Restoration...pic heavy!! - JeepForum.com

It's funny you should mention this. I'm sitting here putting my heater box back together. I brought all my parts inside the warmth of the basement this week so they'd get somewhat warmer than out in the garage, since I'm using adhesive backed foam.

 

[Rexx66]

Well thought I was making some headway but hit a wall tonight... Got the new fan/motor in the heater box, painted and reinstalled, Hooked everything back up turn on and feel NO airflow out of the vents.

After messing around for a bit, I think I've determined that the fan I have is spinning the wrong direction as air seems to be flowing the wrong direction. ?currently spinning counter-clockwise)

Really not looking forward to having to do all that again.. Ugh

 

[Hedgehog]

Well, the more you do it the easier it gets.

You might be able to find a squirrel cage that runs in the other direction.

 

[PaRenegade]

What was the part number you got? It should fit a 73 blazer without ac. The napa number (and some others) is pm102. You may have gotten the pm105 which I believe is different but that may just be in shaft length. I got mine at AdvanceAuto, number 35587 made by Factory Air by 4 Seasons. I can't say for sure which direction it spins though but now I think I'll check tonight to be sure.

 

[Rexx66]

What was the part number you got? It should fit a 73 blazer without ac. The napa number (and some others) is pm102. You may have gotten the pm105 which I believe is different but that may just be in shaft length. I got mine at AdvanceAuto, number 35587 made by Factory Air by 4 Seasons. I can't say for sure which direction it spins though but now I think I'll check tonight to be sure.

PN I got was a Factory Air 35337 and its for an S10, not sure of the year though... I was going to pull off the old cage on the old motor but it is cracked, so I was going to superglue it, but then I couldn't get it off because its stuck on and won't come off... :/

Are you sure the 35587 will work? If so I will take this one back and swap them out.

Also, would just getting a different direction cage fan even help? Or do I need a whole different motor? I can get to the fan cage and that would be easiest VS removing and swapping out the entire thing again.

 

[Rexx66]

OK, after some researching on their site and some other part numbers you guys have mentioned the new blower motor I got is wrong in the sense that it turns Counter-Clockwise, and not Clockwise the way it should from the factory...

I found one locally at Advance Auto and will go pick it up later today, then take the other back when I get it pulled out. Hopefully I don't run into any more issues, like another broken bolt or something...

 

[b3uhbp]

I'm in the same boat. Have an 84 CJ7 and can't figure out how to remove the fan motor. Looks like the only way is to remove the entire heater box from the inside. Some models seem to come out on the fire wall side. Any insight?

 

[mtnwhlr]

Yes you have to pull the hole heater box out to remove the fan and yes it can be a PITA. But it's a good time to also replace the heater core and clean everything up and get it all working right. And you should do the fan up grade if you are replacing it.

 

[b3uhbp]

Thanks. That's what I thought, and since I posted this question I did a cooling system flush which started a leak in the heater core, so yes, a new heater core and fan motor are on the list. Got the leak stopped with stop leak but I know that is temporary. This was my first post and it took me a long time to respond. Trying to figure out the sight. I've read many of your post over the last year since I got my jeep and have learned a lot. Thanks again.

 

[Turbogus]

To echo some of the posts here I'd like to add that when pulling or reinstalling the heater box, a boatload of patience may be required. An idiom I learned back in the early 80's from a motor rebuild mentor, when ya start getting frustrated, step away and drink a beer. :wasted:
This has saved my bacon more than once and since turning 50 I've awakened my inner engineer that helps my firgure things out just as I'm settling down to sleep or in the early morning dozing hours.