Date:         Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:54:46 -0500
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Front Heater wiring - Updated - and Merry Christmas!!!!!!!
Comments: To: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CA+Spi20DjDgFEdAso68VL9jN7YSvR+XATAbhaW5-f4Pr==wsZA@mail.g
              mail.com>
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At 04:20 PM 12/24/2011, Jeff Lincoln wrote:
>What should I use to lubricate the blower motor before re-entombing it?
>Will a little WD-40 do the trick or should I actually use some sort of
>grease on the ends of the shafts?

If you seriously want to lube the motor applying oil to the outer end
of the shaft isn't enough, you also have to get to the inside of the
bearings and oil the felt washers that supply oil to them.  Don't get
oil on the commutator or brushes, clean it off with brake cleaner if
you do.  Ordinary light machine oil is intended for this
application.  Sewing machine and gun oils are high-grade machine oils.

You may be able to reach the rear bearing, can't remember - but for
the front one you have to remove the motor from the case, which is
somewhat involved and must be done correctly to avoid damaging the
motor.  You should be able to find posts I've made describing the
method years ago - if you can't, tell me and I'll find them.

The rear bearing is the one that takes the beating though, so oiling
it is a lot better than nothing, and simply adding oil to the end of
the shaft and working it up and down some is also a lot better than nothing.

Gluing some sort of weather cap over the end of the shaft would be
useful as it's directly in the path of the incoming air and moisture
and dust stream.

Using a glob of grease for the purpose would either be effective,
ineffective or actually help draw grit into the bearing.  I can't say
for sure, but I think it would probably be effective.  It might
depend on what grease was used.  I'm probably over-thinking this.

Yours,
David