[Rugratman]

From what I have read here, it should come off.
Maybe just removing the inner fender will give you enough room, I believe the motor assembly needs to pull straight out, so you will need the room to remove it.

I stuck a vaccume hose in there and sucked out all the crap and cleaned the fan blades as best I could from the inside of the box. I tried to lube everything with a really long nozzle and WD40. I hope it will last. Coming up on a 40 year old part though.
Kinda too late for me know.
I am sure someone will chime in with a short cut.....I hope.
My car does not have AC, so I use the fan rarely now.
But if you have AC, you will use it more and it's really a b*tch to get to.