LT-1 cooling fan replacement hint needed...can't get old one out

Howdy folks! I found what seemed to be a simple task, according to the
manual, but is anything but. Primary fan replacement. It ther e a trick to
this I'm mising? There is not enough clearance behind the motor from the
frame cross-over in front of the engine. I've wiggled/tilted, tried to
rotate, used the associated colorful language, and it just has not got
enough room to clear, and even if the fan mount frame could clear, the fan
itself still extends inside a bit further. I backed out the three screws
that hold the motor to the bracket, a little and a lot. Just not enough
clearance from fan blade/shroud to back of motor/frame

The manual just says loosed the four screws, disconnect electrical, remove.
But I had to take the upper hose off, which required draining coolant, etc.

I'm stumped. The small saw comes out next to slice the shroud, and epoxy
later.

Anybody able to tell me what I'm missing, considering the manual made it
sound REAL simple, and tech time is shown as 0.9 hours.

Thanks in advance!

GeorgeC
92 Red/Red LT-1

LT-1 primary fan removal/replacement.
(The manual is REAL wrong on this)
And to save anyone any added trouble, here's my recommended tool set for
this:
1/2" box wrench, long (fan to motor)
1/2" socket 1/4" drive. (fan to motor) long handle
10mm open end, short (motor to bracket)
10mm socket (bracket to shroud, shroud to radiator cover)
12" pry bar


This was so much more than the manual said. I had to remove the bracket
screws, of course. Then remove upper radiator hose. Here's the rest- loosen
the three schools that hold te motor to the bracket. REmove the screws that
hold the a/c accumulator to teh shroud, and the remainder of the shroud
upper screws. Now, after backing teh motor mounting screws (3 of 'em) out
about 3/16", pry the power connector off the motor, and then pull the shroud
top back, it will move about 1" or a bit more. Snake in a 1/2" socket wrench
onto the nut that holds the fan blade assembly on. BAck it off. And then
work the fan blade off the motor, and then carefully back out the three
motor mounting screws. Carefully remove the fan mount bracket, and the
motor, eventually get the fan blade out.


Here's the rest of the story installation:

First, out of the car assemble everything to make sure it all fits. The
Siemens motor I bought needed a washer, not much of one, under the nut that
holds the fan blade assembly to the motor.

Remove the fan, place it inside the shroud ahead of putting the
motor/bracket in. next, put the three screws in that hold the motor to the
bracket, but only enough thread in to not let them fall out.

Put the bracket/motor in place, will need to jack around with refrigerant
hoses, etc.

Once in place (need skinny hands/arms here) tighten the screws that hold the
motor to the bracket. And remember, you have removed the top row of screws
for the shroud.

Pull back on the shroud top, and place the fan blade assembly on to the
motor shaft. It is keyed with several plastic "nubbies" inside the hub.
Remember that.

Next, I used a box wrench to set the nut on the shaft. It is reverse
threaded, so be sure you turn the right way, or you'll be there forever
backing it off. I held the nut with the wrench, and simply spun the fan
blades to tighten, the last bit just had to do that tightening manual type.

At this point, just re-mount all the crap you removed in the process. Don't
forget the electrical connector.

Done.

I hope I saved someone some time. I spent way too much time trying to figure
how the manual's method could be accomplished. It can't. Period.

I hope my secondary one hangs in. I really hate moving a/c components.
System is tight, moving stuff can only disturb that status.

You are right on target with the cutting of the shroud to get the shroud
out of the way to get the cooling fan assembly off. If you are careful
and wiggle alot you can get the shroud off without cutting it. I have a
92 and I have done it twice and not cut it. But, the dealership says
that they cut it to get the shroud off. That is, unless you want to
take the condensor line off to get the shroud off. I do not know how to
describe it but it can be done and it requires tilting up the driver
side of the shroud and wiggling the line and the shroud and then it
comes off.

GeorgeC wrote:

> Howdy folks! I found what seemed to be a simple task, according to the
> manual, but is anything but. Primary fan replacement. It ther e a trick to
> this I'm mising? There is not enough clearance behind the motor from the
> frame cross-over in front of the engine. I've wiggled/tilted, tried to
> rotate, used the associated colorful language, and it just has not got
> enough room to clear, and even if the fan mount frame could clear, the fan
> itself still extends inside a bit further. I backed out the three screws
> that hold the motor to the bracket, a little and a lot. Just not enough
> clearance from fan blade/shroud to back of motor/frame
>
> The manual just says loosed the four screws, disconnect electrical, remove.
> But I had to take the upper hose off, which required draining coolant, etc.
>
> I'm stumped. The small saw comes out next to slice the shroud, and epoxy
> later.
>
> Anybody able to tell me what I'm missing, considering the manual made it
> sound REAL simple, and tech time is shown as 0.9 hours.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> GeorgeC
> 92 Red/Red LT-1
>
>
>

> But, the dealership says that they cut it to get the shroud off. That is,
unless you want to
take the condensor line off to get the shroud off.

Local Chevy dealer told me the manual was written by some engineer who
didn't know how to use a wrench. )

Said they have found the easiest way to do this is to pull the radiator/AC
condenser/Fan assembly cartridge. It is a LOT more expensive because it
means a new drier for the A/C system, pumping the system down, new
refrigerant (and if the conversion hasn't been made to R134 yet, it is
REALLY a lot more).

The posts here prove again why this forum is valuable. The Chevy dealer
here told me the cost to swap out the fan motor would be AT LEAST $600.00.
I can nurse a couple of busted knuckles for that much money, plus it gives
me and excuse to tinker on my toy and enjoy a few carbonated beverages in
the process.

--
Charlie Funk
Just Cruisin' Plus
800 888-0922
615 833-0922
www.justcruisinplus.com
We prefer the MasterCard card
"john smith" > wrote in message
...
> You are right on target with the cutting of the shroud to get the shroud
> out of the way to get the cooling fan assembly off. If you are careful
> and wiggle alot you can get the shroud off without cutting it. I have a
> 92 and I have done it twice and not cut it. But, the dealership says
> that they cut it to get the shroud off. That is, unless you want to
> take the condensor line off to get the shroud off. I do not know how to
> describe it but it can be done and it requires tilting up the driver
> side of the shroud and wiggling the line and the shroud and then it
> comes off.
>
> GeorgeC wrote:
>
> > Howdy folks! I found what seemed to be a simple task, according to the
> > manual, but is anything but. Primary fan replacement. It ther e a trick
to
> > this I'm mising? There is not enough clearance behind the motor from the
> > frame cross-over in front of the engine. I've wiggled/tilted, tried to
> > rotate, used the associated colorful language, and it just has not got
> > enough room to clear, and even if the fan mount frame could clear, the
fan
> > itself still extends inside a bit further. I backed out the three screws
> > that hold the motor to the bracket, a little and a lot. Just not enough
> > clearance from fan blade/shroud to back of motor/frame
> >
> > The manual just says loosed the four screws, disconnect electrical,
remove.
> > But I had to take the upper hose off, which required draining coolant,
etc.
> >
> > I'm stumped. The small saw comes out next to slice the shroud, and epoxy
> > later.
> >
> > Anybody able to tell me what I'm missing, considering the manual made it
> > sound REAL simple, and tech time is shown as 0.9 hours.
> >
> > Thanks in advance!
> >
> > GeorgeC
> > 92 Red/Red LT-1
> >
> >
> >
>

The Siemens motor I bought for the fan was $29 at AutoZone
(ok, maybe it was $39, my 51 year old memory has it's moments)
Knuckles? They'll heal, I hope.

-GeorgeC
92 LT-1 Red/Red

"Charlie Funk" > wrote in message
...
> > But, the dealership says that they cut it to get the shroud off. That
is,
> unless you want to
> take the condensor line off to get the shroud off.
>
> Local Chevy dealer told me the manual was written by some engineer who
> didn't know how to use a wrench. )
>
> Said they have found the easiest way to do this is to pull the radiator/AC
> condenser/Fan assembly cartridge. It is a LOT more expensive because it
> means a new drier for the A/C system, pumping the system down, new
> refrigerant (and if the conversion hasn't been made to R134 yet, it is
> REALLY a lot more).
>
> The posts here prove again why this forum is valuable. The Chevy dealer
> here told me the cost to swap out the fan motor would be AT LEAST $600.00.
> I can nurse a couple of busted knuckles for that much money, plus it gives
> me and excuse to tinker on my toy and enjoy a few carbonated beverages in
> the process.
>
> --
> Charlie Funk
> Just Cruisin' Plus
> 800 888-0922
> 615 833-0922
> www.justcruisinplus.com
> We prefer the MasterCard card
> "john smith" > wrote in message
> ...
> > You are right on target with the cutting of the shroud to get the shroud
> > out of the way to get the cooling fan assembly off. If you are careful
> > and wiggle alot you can get the shroud off without cutting it. I have a
> > 92 and I have done it twice and not cut it. But, the dealership says
> > that they cut it to get the shroud off. That is, unless you want to
> > take the condensor line off to get the shroud off. I do not know how to
> > describe it but it can be done and it requires tilting up the driver
> > side of the shroud and wiggling the line and the shroud and then it
> > comes off.
> >
> > GeorgeC wrote:
> >
> > > Howdy folks! I found what seemed to be a simple task, according to the
> > > manual, but is anything but. Primary fan replacement. It ther e a
trick
> to
> > > this I'm mising? There is not enough clearance behind the motor from
the
> > > frame cross-over in front of the engine. I've wiggled/tilted, tried to
> > > rotate, used the associated colorful language, and it just has not got
> > > enough room to clear, and even if the fan mount frame could clear, the
> fan
> > > itself still extends inside a bit further. I backed out the three
screws
> > > that hold the motor to the bracket, a little and a lot. Just not
enough
> > > clearance from fan blade/shroud to back of motor/frame
> > >
> > > The manual just says loosed the four screws, disconnect electrical,
> remove.
> > > But I had to take the upper hose off, which required draining coolant,
> etc.
> > >
> > > I'm stumped. The small saw comes out next to slice the shroud, and
epoxy
> > > later.
> > >
> > > Anybody able to tell me what I'm missing, considering the manual made
it
> > > sound REAL simple, and tech time is shown as 0.9 hours.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance!
> > >
> > > GeorgeC
> > > 92 Red/Red LT-1
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>