Heater blower fan cage rubbing

[4thgencreamsicle]

I tried putting all the important key words in the title. I also posted this in an “All about heaters” thread for a bit earlier truck because there didn’t seem to be one that spanned the 69 era. Anyway here is my issue, copy/pasted from that thread:

So I got the cage from Brothers and the blower motor from LMC. If I put this together the way it’s SUPPOSED to go, with this little square dude on the shaft first, then the cage, the cage blades rub the box all the way around when installed...bad. But if I remove this, it would fit perfect, I’d just need some washers to take up space on the shaft. How important it that square spacer? Seems like it would keep the plastic from getting worn at the base.

Or do you trim the cage blades? If so, with what? (Leaning towards this one, but not sure an exact o knife is the smartest choice since it’s kinda hard plastic, I’m kinda clumsy, and fingers are important)

Or do I buy a new cage from LMC and they magically match up because they were supposed to be bought together all along?

Help a girl out.

[Andy4639]

Go to hardware store and buy the right size lock nut for the shaft. Buy one washer and call it good you could put a flat washer on the other side to space it also if needed.

[firedemon]

depending how bad it hits you could put a big piece of sandpaper on a nice flat surface and sand it down . i dont think you could cut them even enough to keep it in balance so it dont tear itself apart . they spin fairly fast on high speed

[Sheepdip]

My new cage and blower motor combo from LMC did the same thing and kept frying the fuse, used a dremel tool to take the problem area down until it was clear. If I remember correctly it was rubbing on the inside of the cage at those curved area's. Been working great so far.

[4thgencreamsicle]

Yes, it’s definitely hitting on the curved portion at the top of the blades.