How do you remove and replace the motor for a two speed swamp cooler?

Question

How do you remove and replace the motor for a two speed swamp cooler?

Answer 1

Most of them plug into a special outlet inside the swamp cooler.  Unplug it first.  You will see the motor is mounted to a bar across the top of the squirrel cage fan.  Loosen the screws on both sides so the bar swivels.  This will let you take the belt off.  With that bar loose you will see the clamps that hold the motor in place.  Loosen the clamps, remove the motor, put the new motor in place and tighten the clamps.  Then put the belt back on and swivel the motor to tighten the belt.  It should have about a half inch of play in it - too tight and you will draw too much current during startup which could blow your fuse.  Tighten both ends of the bar, plug the new motor back in and you are ready to cool your house again.