I've read through most of the threads about blower motors--the infamous and fascinating core part around which the entire car is built, apparently.

Anyway, I've got to get the heater core replaced so I figure I may as well get the blower motor replaced at the same time. I'd love to do it myself, but that's not happening in my world right now. The mechanic I normally use was having trouble locating the parts for a reasonable price so I did a little internet searching and came up with the IPD Kit, and also AutoPartsWarehouse, who sell both the Siemans motor, and an aftermarket motor with cage. (as well as the resistor and switch as separate items)

I read through the installation instructions PDF from IPD, and it sounds like you have to do a lot of modification of parts to make them fit. My question is, does getting the assembly with the cage simplify the matter at all?

I basically trust my mechanic, but as I'll never look in there myself I don't want him to be tempted to cut any corners out of laziness or frustration that are going to cause other electrical problems or problems with the air system. (This car has no AC, just heat)

Thanks for any advice!


Here is the part:

Motor With Cage







--
Phil Aupperle, Brooklyn, NY: "Tomato Juice" '78 245 200K

I had an aftermarket unit installed in my 85 245 about 10 years ago. It still works really well and is very strong. I remember that the shop that did the work had to do some grinding to get it to fit, and I had alot of these grindings floating through the system for about a year so make sure you get the cage as well. Good Luck

The folks who list your motor as "motor with cage" may have what you need, but it's not the item pictured. Maybe the pictures just got mixed up. The blower motor in the 240s does not use a (squirrel) cage for an impeller. The 240 blower uses a motor with a through-shaft so that impellers (not cages) can be driven on either end of the motor. The working part of the motor sits in the middle between the two impellers. Two good sources for you: ipdusa.com and fcpgroton.com. Blower motor alone, maybe $45.00.

Good luck with it!

I just did this exact task and used the after market blower with complete success. I used the four seasons heater core and that seems fine as well. I bought both from FCPGroton. The only problem that I have had is that the foam that comes with the heater core (at least I think that that is the cause) is gassing/fuming an odor that still has not gone away.

All the best

Dru. 1990 244, 1994 940

Wow, those guys are on crack for sure. That is a 700 series blower motor. If your 78 car has not had the motor changed before your mechanic is in for a lot of fun. You will need to change it up to a 4 speed switch and resistor to match the four speed fan. You will also need to do some mods to the case itself where the motor bolts down. That kind of work is so back in the day, we did a boat load of those mods on the early 200 series. Grinding the case isn't too bad if you've done a few but I never did enjoy doing the switch change up. The factory fan motor will come with new impellers/blades. The Swedes swore they were new and improved and that you had to run them with the "new style" motor or else. We never could figure what "or else" was as they seemed to work just fine with the original blades. Most guys I knew never took off the passenger side case when they changed motors so that side blade never got changed out. The Siemens unit will probably work pretty well.

Mark

a good way to prolong the life of your motor is to wire in a kill switch as described by my high school motor mech teacher (he was a Volvo NUT-lucky for me).

As he described, doing so will kill off the motor when you dont' really need it nor want it on to prolong it's life (i.e. mid summer considerin gyou have no a/c anyway) and you can jsut open the kick-panels for a breeze (VERY hendy on the cars wiht no a.c and when you don't wanna mess your hair up).

good luck with the work!