C4 blower motor conversion
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
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C4 blower motor conversion
While I have the blower motor out of my '70 as I repair the heater core, I was thinking of upgrading to a C4 blower motor since I heard they move a lot more air through the cabin.
A few questions though: I noticed that the parts catalogs sell motors for '84-'85, and '86-'96...which one should I be looking for? Second, I remember seeing someone had a template for the spacer the I'll need...anyone know where I can find this template and what material I'm supposed to make the spacer out of?
A few questions though: I noticed that the parts catalogs sell motors for '84-'85, and '86-'96...which one should I be looking for? Second, I remember seeing someone had a template for the spacer the I'll need...anyone know where I can find this template and what material I'm supposed to make the spacer out of?
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Instructor
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Originally Posted by mrvette
Dont it long time ago, and it about doubles air flow....
good change...but I also recommend a 40 amp circuit breaker....
and a heavier alternator....
GENE
good change...but I also recommend a 40 amp circuit breaker....
and a heavier alternator....
GENE
Do you remember where you got the motor (from a '84-'85 vette, or '86-'96)? Does it make a difference? How did you make the spacer and what is it made out of (wood, plastic, etc.)? Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
Rick, I made mine outta 3/4 inch plywood, but i'ts kinda sloppy, so I plan on redoing it in PVC vinyl pieces from Home Despot, and using plumbers cement to glue up the exact shape I need....
it's close now, just not neat looking....
the motor is from a '94? vette, they all the same, except maybe the earlier ones....
that PVC vinyl is available from exterior door jambs, to prevent rot....you can buy it in individual board sizes though, cut it up and shape it out, and then glue 3-4 sections together, finish it off, and have something rot proof....that's MY plot anyway...
maybe next year....
GENE
it's close now, just not neat looking....
the motor is from a '94? vette, they all the same, except maybe the earlier ones....
that PVC vinyl is available from exterior door jambs, to prevent rot....you can buy it in individual board sizes though, cut it up and shape it out, and then glue 3-4 sections together, finish it off, and have something rot proof....that's MY plot anyway...
maybe next year....
GENE
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: staten island ny
I've said it before so I'll say it again because obviously none of the vendors are listening. With hundreds of owners doing this and probably hundreds more like me on the fence about doing it why dont they come up with a retro fit kit that includes a pre-made , professional looking spacer as well as the blower motor?
Just my .02 ESU
Just my .02 ESU
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Instructor
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Sounds like you guys are using blower motors from later C4s ('94, '95, etc.). The reason I'm wondering about the year is because corvette central sells 2 different ones for C4s, '84-'85 and '86-'96, and there is a $9 difference. There is one for sale in town from an '85, but from the pic it looks like the actual motor is the same size as my '70's...maybe I should be looking for one from a '86-'96?
I cross-posted this to the C4 tech section, but they don't seem to be as responsive as we C3 guys are about this!
Also, it looks like the wiring connections are different...did you guys make a custom connector or am I just imagining things?
ESU- I agree, a nice looking black plastic spacer (even w/out the motor included) would be great. I'd buy it. I'll probably do what Gene and 79vetter did though and make one out of wood, seal it somehow and paint it black.
I cross-posted this to the C4 tech section, but they don't seem to be as responsive as we C3 guys are about this!
Also, it looks like the wiring connections are different...did you guys make a custom connector or am I just imagining things?
ESU- I agree, a nice looking black plastic spacer (even w/out the motor included) would be great. I'd buy it. I'll probably do what Gene and 79vetter did though and make one out of wood, seal it somehow and paint it black.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Corvettefaq has an article on the swap, IIRC. I was going to use a black metal stove-pipe cap as a spacer, but a mouse chewed a hole in the fiber A/C box on the firewall - so I'm just going to make a sheet metal replacement and insulate it. The new box will be deep enough to accomodate the heater.
Anyone know where I can get the proper two-prong wire connector?
Anyone know where I can get the proper two-prong wire connector?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
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From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
As stated above there are a couple of C4 fans and there are also at least 2 C3 fans. My 68 has a different mounting flange than my 81 fan. The other complication is the armature vent hose will no longer work because the two motors are "clocked" differently. The connector is also a problem. Most junkyards won't let you cut a pigtail from a harness because the harness is worth $ intact.
Those making a spacer: get the end of the fan cage as close to the firewall (without rubbing) as possible.
Those making a spacer: get the end of the fan cage as close to the firewall (without rubbing) as possible.
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Instructor
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I think I found the article on this that was mentioned:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/improvedVentFlow.mht.zip
That guy sounded pretty pleased with his results.
BBShark- what is the armature vent hose used for? I don't remember seeing that on my '70.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/improvedVentFlow.mht.zip
That guy sounded pretty pleased with his results.
BBShark- what is the armature vent hose used for? I don't remember seeing that on my '70.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
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ive done it, i bought a ''bravo'' blower motor/squirrell cage from carquest,the fins on the wheel are curved and deeper for improved air had to space it out 1-1/2 ''-i used a cap for a pot belly stove exhaust pipe(chimmeny cap) at menards for 6 bucks, traced the motor on the cap and cut it out..also cut width down to 1-1/2 ''--bought longer bolts,and used a vaccume line slit lengthwise for a gasket..airflow did increase,,but not enough to blow you away,,biggest problem in these cars is rotted gaskets in the plastic pieces,,so the air is flowin all under the dash instead of in your face..heres a photo,,,i painted the cap black so you dont know its there ,,,unless i told you to look for it,i put some dum dum ard a small leak see photo,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: SoCal.
Sounds like we may all be doing something a bit different. The housing is made of fiberglass. So I slit (sectioned) the housing, spread the halfs 1 inch and re-fiberglassed it back to ether. For the cooling I used the C4 tube.
Painted the whole thing with Krylon and called it a day.
George
Painted the whole thing with Krylon and called it a day.
George
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
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Originally Posted by 999
Sounds like we may all be doing something a bit different. The housing is made of fiberglass. So I slit (sectioned) the housing, spread the halfs 1 inch and re-fiberglassed it back to ether. For the cooling I used the C4 tube.
Painted the whole thing with Krylon and called it a day.
George
Painted the whole thing with Krylon and called it a day.
George
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Charlotte NC
Originally Posted by carl a
THATS A GOOD IDEA