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1969 Heater box motor/fan question

440beep

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So I took my Super Bee's heater box out over the weekend to rebuild it. My primary reason for rebuilding it was the noisy blower motor/fan. So when I tested the motor it was quiet as can be. When I tested it with the squirrel cage on you can see the squirrel cage is somewhat lopsided when spinning. I'm guessing its from the allen screw that holds the cage to the motor. So when I retested the motor and cage back in the heater box it still makes a banging noise.

The cage isn't hitting anything inside when spinning, so I'm guessing its the fiberglass heater box vibrating from the lopsided spinning cage and since most of the foam and insulation was disintegrated I'm hoping that with the new foam and insulation the banging noise will stop.

Is my assumption correct? Have others tested a blower motor with the fan cage on and seen its lopsided when spinning? Or does the fan cage have balancing weights?
 
It should be round and balanced. I don't see how replacing all the foam will stop the banging noises you are hearing. It has to be coming from the squirrel cage when installed since that is the only moving part. I would install the motor and squirrel cage back into the box then you can remove the heating element and see how everything is moving inside the box. There may be other areas you can view the cage turning but where the heating element goes is directly in sight of the cage.
 
When I removed the fan cage and rolled it on the ground by itself, it rolled straight. But when it's on the motor shaft it spins lopsided. Will examine it more closely now....
 
If I remember correctly, there is a clip on weight to balance the wheel.
 
Now that you say that, I found some clips in the heater hoses at the box and was wondering WTF are these?! Wonder if those are some of the weights............... damn mouse house sabotaging my heater box!!

This is correct. I'll bet the weight has moved or someone moved it.
 
Now that you say that, I found some clips in the heater hoses at the box and was wondering WTF are these?! Wonder if those are some of the weights............... damn mouse house sabotaging my heater box!!

Look at those clips carefully, some of them are used to hold the flex tubing to the box.
 
Now that you say that, I found some clips in the heater hoses at the box and was wondering WTF are these?! Wonder if those are some of the weights............... damn mouse house sabotaging my heater box!!

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I noticed that the balancing clip(s) tend to leave a SLIGHT mark on the blade where they are located. I am careful to document that and return to within a mouse hair of origin. I do not have the facilities to balance a fan wheel myself. That said, a new replacement wheel is not too expensive. I bet that they come pre-balanced too.
 
Sadly I have not been able to locate any vendors selling a non-A/C fan blade. I'd be keen for a new blade if I can find one.

I noticed that the balancing clip(s) tend to leave a SLIGHT mark on the blade where they are located. I am careful to document that and return to within a mouse hair of origin. I do not have the facilities to balance a fan wheel myself. That said, a new replacement wheel is not too expensive. I bet that they come pre-balanced too.
 
does the fan wobble when you spin it by hand when it is mounted on the motor? if it does you should be able to gently move the fan by hand to try and center it better.
 
Yes, tested it last night on the motor shaft, and it wobbles quite a bit. Has to be something with the allen head set screw that locks the fan to the motor shaft. WTF!?!? Very frustrating. Got most of the heater box rebuilt last night, just have to mess with this now.

does the fan wobble when you spin it by hand when it is mounted on the motor? if it does you should be able to gently move the fan by hand to try and center it better.
 
i you try messing with it and don't get satisfactory results let me know. I have a few fans to pick from.
 
Found the problem. Fan hub was bent. Used a small level and found it was cocked. Banged the hub back to level and now she's quiet in the box FTW!!!!!

Thanks FBBO for all the help and tips!!!!!
 
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