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1973 164 blower fan motor

F

floydilian

Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2019
Location
Sacramento, CA
Hi folks - need a bit of advice. I have been working on my 164 and finally have it running great and starting to clean up nicely. I've been going through the AC system, and I have it working but... then the blower fan locked up. What a lot of steps to get to!
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The carnage:
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The culprit. It was super hard to turn, and I think what happened is that one of the bearings spun and was riding against the little the retaining clip - you can see the wear mark.
diZD1eg.jpg


Here is the question - has anyone ever had one of these motors repaired? Or are there new alternatives? I looked on VP and IPD and didn't come up with anything.

Thanks in advance! So close to having this one back on the road.
 
No one repairs the series wound open cage motors. The genuine Volvo motors are sealed to prevent the dirt from getting inside. Your replacement choices are from Volvo or the aftermarket VDO/Siemens/Four Seasons motors. You will need to remove some internal plastic in the housing to fit the newer motor inside. You will also need the resistor pack and the newer switch. The resistor pack mounts inside the housing so it gets cooling air flowing over it from the center of the heater core.

IPD probably has instructions you can check out. Fan replacement with the newer motors is also a Volvo TSB for these cars.
 
Be aware that your fan blades won't fit the new motor. You'll either need to find a pair of good used later fan blades and use an aftermarket kit or buy the kit from Volvo that comes with them.
 
Just an update: finished the project - putting in the fan motor kit from IPD. Some thoughts that applied to my '73 164 that may help anyone who finds this thread someday:

  • First, lordy what a lot of work to get to this thing.
  • The new motor fit great with some minor plastic grinding per the instructions.
  • The motor seems like great quality but the plastic fan switch (from a 240?) was terrible and already has broken. I'll need to source a metal body fan switch - I assume Volvo originally didn't originally use a plastic switch body.
  • Since I was in there, I could clean up all the ductwork, check all the vacuum motor things, and make sure all the lights and wiring (minus the seatbelt buzzer) are back to factory. Clean is good.
  • I was able to use the fan blades, at least for my 73.

Thanks for all the advice. I suggest this job for your mortal enemy, but the end result is very nice. The AC system is holding pressure, and while it isn't modern-car cold, it is nice and cool.
 
Congrats on completing the job from hell and working A/C (without complete system replacement?).

I am guessing that switch was aftermarket. In my case, it didn't even make it to installation before breaking. I don't think you will find a metal switch, but if you get an original one from a 240 it will be much better. While you are at it, get the lighting strip with the fan speed numbers on it. It will go to 4 to match your new 4-speed system. :zeeall:
 
Harry Tuttle said:
Congrats on completing the job from hell and working A/C (without complete system replacement?).

I am guessing that switch was aftermarket. In my case, it didn't even make it to installation before breaking. I don't think you will find a metal switch, but if you get an original one from a 240 it will be much better. While you are at it, get the lighting strip with the fan speed numbers on it. It will go to 4 to match your new 4-speed system. :zeeall:
Click to expand...

On the way to the junkyard now, appreciate the advice on the strip! Ours go to 4! :zeeall:

On the AC, I put new o rings in it, put a new drier in it, put the conversion r12 to r134a oil in it, pressure tested it, fixed some leaks, and put r134a in it. It has been holding for ~2 months while I worked on that damn fan. It isn't going to win any AC awards but it is working. It's a luxury in an old Volvo, who knows how long it will last!
 
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