Date:         Tue, 23 Aug 2005 08:04:51 EDT
Reply-To:     THX0001@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Article on heater fan replacement w/o dash removal
Comments: To: eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 8/22/05 9:27:16 PM, eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM writes:

<< I know that I saw an article somewhere on the net, but not here, on how to
get the fan motor out without removing the whole dash. It was still a pain,
but maybe not as bad as the whole dash procedure. >>

Considering how easily a Vanagon dash is removed, leaving it in place would
be penny-wise and pound foolish.  As I have said before, it is not that big of
a deal to replace the fan motor in a Vanagon because there is a lot of working
room.  One thing which is so obvious that it is often not mentioned is to
DISCONNECT the battery BEFORE you spark something.

This has nothing to do with Vanagons, but it may, in contrast, make you feel
better:

http://cleanflametrap.com

Note that although the manual calls for the 240 dash to be left in place, Art
has found that removing even it makes the job easier and, believe me, the 240
dash does not come off with anywhere near the ease of removing a Vanagon dash.

Another subtlety to note is how Art has kept the various fasteners grouped
according to the components they are used for.  This will help avoid coming up
lame in the installed fastener count at the end of the work and it helps
prevent stripping a hole in plastic or sheet metal which has already been threaded
by a slightly smaller self-tapping screw.

I guess pictures and tags might be helpful, but I usually don't bother with
them because most things seem to drop back into their orientation once assembly
is begun.

George