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Old 10-24-2022, 11:47 AM
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Default Cutting inner fender to replace blower motor.

Does anyone have any pictures of an inner fenderwell with a flap cut to replace the blower motor? Obviously I can see close to where to cut but I would like to get this right the first cut. If Im going to be a hack I would at least like to be surgical about it.

So the terrible mechanic (me) forgot to put the blower motor in before the fenders were installed years ago. Ive just been dealing with it, but not having a defroster really limits being able to drive the car in the morning once it starts to get cold.

I really dont feel like blowing the side of the car off so Im just going to cut a flap in the inner and then just tack it back up. The are reproductions anyway, and if I ever actually have cause to take the fender off they are cheap enough Ill just buy a new one.

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Old 10-24-2022, 03:02 PM
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Dealer did mine in 1978. Mines a 78. What year is yours?
There is a factory plug to cover the hole. Hard to find part.

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Old 10-24-2022, 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by burd View Post
Dealer did mine in 1978. Mines a 78. What year is yours?
There is a factory plug to cover the hole. Hard to find part.
First year. 1967

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Old 10-24-2022, 06:21 PM
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Bite the bullet. Pull the fender.
It's kind of like kissing the ugly chick. Not pleasant but it will do wonders for her esteem!

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Old 10-25-2022, 01:04 AM
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Dang shame that hood hinge is bolted to the fender ... otherwise it would be a 15 minute job to the remove the fender. Someone should invent a bar that goes from core support to cowl that you can transfer the hood hinge to when you remove a fender.

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Old 10-25-2022, 01:18 PM
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Dang shame that hood hinge is bolted to the fender ... otherwise it would be a 15 minute job to the remove the fender. Someone should invent a bar that goes from core support to cowl that you can transfer the hood hinge to when you remove a fender.
Yeah exactly. My girlfriend just had neck surgery so she can’t help. I don’t feel like trying to rope anyone else in, or trying to do it myself and breaking the windshield or something.

So I’m just going to feed it to the jigsaw. I’ve been messing around with another project so I haven’t gotten to it. But it’s going to get done soon. I’ve put it off for too long.

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Old 10-25-2022, 02:02 PM
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How do you plan on cutting this hole?

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Old 10-25-2022, 02:56 PM
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Looks like a 6” hole saw will work, I didn’t cut it so I have no regrets. I made a cover, you really can’t see it. Looks like if you has an English wheel, yiu could make a nice cover. Now you got me thinkin……..
Kissing a fat chick is like drinking bad wine, one you get over few sips, it’s all good. Lol

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Old 10-25-2022, 03:05 PM
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How do you plan on cutting this hole?
I did some reading on old threads over at The First Gen site. I didn’t find any pictures but the most appealing method I head described was a 3 sided cut and then bending down the flap. Then you can fold it back up into place. As opposed to using a hole saw which will make a complete hole.

I was planning on using my air powered jig saw. I have pretty much any method you can think of outside of a plasma cutter available. I felt the jig saw would be the easiest to control as well as leaving the thinnest line.

I just don’t see the downside. If I ever have cause you remove the fender again I’ll put in a new repro inner. No big deal. The only thing I’m worried about is making a mess of the cut. Which is why I asked the question of if anyone had pictures.

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Last edited by RocktimusPryme; 10-25-2022 at 03:12 PM.
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Old 10-25-2022, 03:41 PM
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Does the inner fender have a raised section where you are supposed to cut?

A patch can be made from some drop acquired from a HVAC shop, 22 gauge would work nicely. It may not even need to be formed as the wheel well radius there is rather large.

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Old 10-25-2022, 04:10 PM
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I wouldn't be able to do it myself. I would have to do it the hard way.
However I wish you luck.

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Old 10-25-2022, 04:59 PM
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On a few GM cars I have just unbolted the inner fender and wiggled it out to gain access to heater cores, and blower motors. I'm sure I never did it on a first gen F body though, so it may, or may not be possible. You just leave the hood and the fender undisturbed, if you can remove the inner fender.

The best way I have found to keep the hood off of the windshield is 4X4 wooden blocks between the glass, and the back edge of the hood. I usually support the front of the hood with a chain fall, or come along hung from the rafters. I've removed, and installed dozens of hoods to do engine changes by myself, with never any broken glass using that method.

If you're going to cut the inner fender, I would make a dimple using a center punch from the topside approximately where the armature shaft is to find your center to reference where you need to cut. Nothing worse than starting a cut and it's off center, then you make a bigger hole to get the unit out.


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  #13  
Old 10-25-2022, 05:21 PM
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Default Inner fender pics

From my original 69 inner fender. Hope this helps.
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Old 10-25-2022, 06:31 PM
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That does help thanks. I actually just jacked it up and removed the wheel. Turns out there is a little dimple that I put chalk around so you can see it. I’m pretty sure that little raised spot is where the center of the motor lives. That should make it easier. I could go buy a big hole saw blade and make a clean circle but I still think I like the flap method better.

I read mixed reviews on if it was possible to get the inner out. Some said yes some said no. The ones that did said it was a nightmare.

Apparently the service manual says to unbolt only the rear of the fender and hood. Then use a 2x4 to leverage it away from the body to give yourself room. But it was a multi tech job.

I wish I had downloaded those PDF files before first Gen.org went down. Or bought the rights to that site.
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Old 10-25-2022, 07:37 PM
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My '68 A -body had that already done when l got it. It's cut into a 'U' shape. I never considered welding it up because it seemed like a good idea and is totally out of sight unless you remove the tire and stick your head up in there. I filled the cut with urethane sealant.

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Old 10-25-2022, 09:06 PM
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Rock, you're welcome. Like Greg said though, I would re-seal it when you're done, keep all the dirt and water out.

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Old 10-25-2022, 09:35 PM
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Pulling the wheel well on a 67 is easier than a 69. It'll take 5 hours total for the job. Done it. Frankly it takes longer but either way you'll get heat. If its a re=pop I'd do what's easier, and its easier to cut it. If you have more time than money I;d pop out the well.

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Old 10-25-2022, 09:35 PM
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Rock, you're welcome. Like Greg said though, I would re-seal it when you're done, keep all the dirt and water out.
Oh yeah, fully planned on that. Either seam sealer or some aluminum tape painted black.

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Old 10-26-2022, 12:36 AM
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I was eyeballing mine last night because of this thread ... I think I could get the wheel house out ... actually you probably don't even need to get it "out", just drop it down enough to get to the blower.

But I also see zero problem with a "hatch", heck, bang up a piece of metal and use a few sheet metal screws to put it back in place.

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Old 10-26-2022, 12:13 PM
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Here's mine. Like I said, it had already been done when I purchased the car. I removed the sealant just recently because I needed to get in there to try to work a small ding out of my fender. Just didn't bother to seal it back up yet because I still have more work to do on that...maybe.
As you can see, there is a small metal tab with a couple of screws at the apex.

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