FJ55 Blower Motor Rebuild

[JLB206]

Just starting to dive into the various 50 yr old parts that need some attention on my rig. Heater blower motor was almost completely seized up and wouldn’t turn at all. Don’t see anyone selling a new/rebuilt motor for this assembly, and honestly with as few parts as go into this, I’m wondering how difficult it could be to rebuild. Brushes and electrical wiring seem fine, if a little worn. Aside from a lot of carbon build up inside the casing (now cleaned out), I think my three biggest issues are the lack of grease at either end, the wear on the commutator and exactly how I get the assembly pressed into the housing at the far end of the body, since that end appears to have tabs that are bend over to retain the rounded bushing on that end. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Rix 45]

When you are done with this I would be happy to sell you a working used complete unit. $50.00 plus ship from So. Cal.
Thanks,
Eric.

 

[JLB206]

When you are done with this I would be happy to sell you a working used complete unit. $50.00 plus ship from So. Cal.
Thanks,
Eric.

That sounds like a challenge! I’ll proudly let you know when I successfully rehab the motor! Or meekly admit the wasting of hours while sending you payment.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

That sounds like a challenge! I’ll proudly let you know when I successfully rehab the motor! Or meekly admit the wasting of hours while sending you payment.

Or my preferred option C: do both.

 

[Rix 45]

JLB206. You Sir are a gentleman.
Best,
Eric.

 

[3_puppies]

I was thinking the blower motor is the same as a 40 series of the same year.
the 55 uses a different squirrel cage than a 40, so that needs to be swapped out.

good used ones should be available, if working, maybe a cleanup and lube and good to go for many more years

 

[JLB206]

I was thinking the blower motor is the same as a 40 series of the same year.
the 55 uses a different squirrel cage than a 40, so that needs to be swapped out.

good used ones should be available, if working, maybe a cleanup and lube and good to go for many more

I was thinking the blower motor is the same as a 40 series of the same year.
the 55 uses a different squirrel cage than a 40, so that needs to be swapped out.

good used ones should be available, if working, maybe a cleanup and lube and good to go for many more years

Hoping I can put mine back together with some grease at the bushings and call it good. Biggest concern is snapping it back into the housing- the rounded bushing sits inside a pocket with bent sheet metal fins that keep it in place. Pictures don’t show it well- down at the end of the housing. Not sure how it will go back in without bending those fins into the pocket. Out of town for a couple weeks but will give it a go and report when I get home.

 

[JLB206]

JLB206. You Sir are a gentleman.
Best,
Eric.

I am happy to report I will not need to take you up on your offer. I cleaned up the commutator where the brushes had worn a groove by chucking the shaft into my drill and spinning it while I took a file to the commutator- cleaned that up nice and bright. After struggling to figure out a way to press the rounded brass colored bulb on the drive shaft (3rd photo) into what looked like retainer clips for said bulb at the bottom of the motor housing(2nd photo), I started looking at the other end of the assembly. When looking closer at the lid of the motor, the same retainer clips and brass colored bulb were in the lid (1st photo) Made me realize that bulb IS my bushing, and is NOT part of the drive shaft. With a little work, I got it off, cleaned it and the shaft up so it spun easily, and then installed the bushing in the bottom of the motor housing (I bent the retainer clips out of the way enough to install, then bent them back- probably not great, but it was my only option). After that, grease on the shaft, brushes in place and lid back on. Test run in the rig confirmed the motor, wiring and speed selector all worked. A few hours of clean up , fresh paint on the metal parts, new foam and reassembly and I’m back in business. Cleaning out the heater prior to reinstall, I found what looked like carpet padding between the top of the heater coil and the heat/defrost damper (photo #4, suspect “padding” sitting in the passenger wheelwell). This isn’t supposed to be there, right? It must be 50 yrs of debris getting blown into the heater coil and never cleaned out?

Anyway, I’m probably 8hrs and $20 in foam into this little project and feeling good I was able to save a piece of the original. Now let’s see how long it lasts!

 

[scrapdaddy]

Good Job and I believe you're right, that rug doesn't belong.

 

[JLB206]

Good Job and I believe you're right, that rug doesn't belong.

Thanks for the confirmation and how did no one comment on that before you! Maybe my picture didn't do it justice, but it was literally 1/2" thick. So glad I didn't just turn the newly functional blower on and send all that debris flying into the air. Same thing on the foam adhered to the louvers- it was so degraded that a slight breeze would have sent it all flying into the cab. Here's for taking the time to clean parts before putting back in service!

 

[PabloCruise]

How is the blower motor now? Does it spin nice and easy? Quiet?

What kind of lube did you use?

Are you going to pull the heater core and clean all the debris off that?

 

[JLB206]

How is the blower motor now? Does it spin nice and easy? Quiet?

What kind of lube did you use?

Are you going to pull the heater core and clean all the debris off that?

All 3 speeds of the blower work well. Not sure how quiet it would have been originally, but I can't hear it spinning over the roar of my tranny! I just used some general automotive grease. Might not be the best selection, but it is what I had on hand. I vacuumed everything I could out of the heater core assembly- nothing blew out at me when I turned it on so feeling good about that. flex ducts for the defrost are cracked at the fittings, so need to get some new ones for maximum air flow, but had enough velocity to blow some dead bugs out of the ducts.