1986 325 Blower Motor

[Stamey]

My blower motor quit on me the other day and I had to replace it. Fortunately I have a couple of extra parts cars for this situation. Unfortunately I was unable to get the replacement blower motor in without damaging one of the squirrel cages. It's really tight, being directly behind the head and intake, and I suppose the plastic is brittle after 23 years. I found the breaks before I reassembled, and coated the breaks with JB Weld, but even after curing overnight the fan still broke and makes all kind of noise on anything besides level 1.
Considering this, I have two questions.
1. How do I get the blower motor in without breaking one of the fans? Do I need to drop a motor mount or both, so I can lower the engine about 3 inches?
2. Does anyone know how to remove the fan from the motor? It kind of looks like a press fit to me, and with this old, old plastic, I'm not hopeful of bruting it off without breaking the good one on my old motor.

Thanks,
Chris

[silversled]

I just did this on my 1988 325iC....the key is to remove the valve cover to provide more room to get the damn squirrel cage in/out without toasting the plastic vains...sucks...I feel your pain...truth is I had to do the very same repair on my wifes 1990 MB 300TE. I swear to God, every single German car I have ever owned in my life, and there have been many, have had a crapped out heater blower motor..............Behr sucks....I have replaced 2 of these pieces of shit in the last 4 months, one BMW and one Mercedes Benz. Collectively they would have cost me a grand but fortunately I have an excellent junk yard near so it was only around 50 beans for both, but nevertheless....Behr sucks....

[Stamey]

Pull the valve cover, huh? I had not thought of that. I will give that a try. Thanks.
Now, anyone know anything about replacing the squirrel cage fans on these buggers?

Thanks,
Chris