Date:         Wed, 11 Jun 1997 22:09:38 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Mark A. Rokus" <marokus@voyager.net>
Subject:      Re: Front heater motor replacement

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The first thing you do is get a big cutting torch....   no not really. 
When I did mine it became
painfully obvious that it was the first thing they started with and then
built the van around it!!  You have to remove almost everything up front
to get to it.  Bentleys manual covers enough to get the job done.  I
highly recommend that you take the time to lubricate the replacement
before you go through all of that again.  My replacement came form Parts
Place and was almost as tight as the one that siezed in the first
place.  The real hassle is getting the fan off of the shaft to lube the
front bearing.  Patience and careful prying.  I'm not sure what to
advise for lubricant, I used some grease that was made for slot car
motors.  Maybe something from a hobby shop that they use in RC cars.
Took the better part of 4
hours but I'm sure glad I wasn't paying shop labor rates!!! 
Good luck
Mark