A/C squirrel cage, do you like metal or plastic?

[dmjlambert]

I have searched on the forum and found conflicting information about what may have been original, and no substantial information about what is better. So, what do you folks think? I have a 1969 CST/10 with factory air conditioning. I pulled the blower motor to look and clean and replace the motor, and found it has a metal squirrel cage. It is sturdy, but rusty and I am considering replacing it. A very small chunk of it is rusted through, so it may not be balanced any more, so I think it could reduce the motor life if I use it for years slightly out of balance or could cause vibration or noise.

If anybody is ready to say metal is the only way to go, next question is going to be where to get it, because what's readily available is plastic. If plastic is good, I'll just order one. My goal is function, not originality.

[harpo231]

That's what GM uses ..

[dmjlambert]

Maybe the topic just isn't interesting enough. Am I boring? :-)
I thought perhaps people would have opinions, or maybe nobody has replaced their fan cage yet. GMC Pauls has plastic, and Manes has metal. I suppose I will go with metal. I've heard they are resistant to mice. Pros and cons either way I guess.

[LockDoc]

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Any time I find a good metal one I save it. Out of all the trucks I have had I've only had two or three that the mice hadn't chewed through the plastic cage. They can't do that with the metal. I am having trouble with the '72 Dually right now and I am going to have to pull the inner and outer heater boxes off, clean the nests out and change the plastic cage to a metal one..... Yes, they will still build nests in the outer box but they won't be able to get inside the cab.

Just my 2¢ worth....

LockDoc

[B. W.]

I prefer metal also. I've cleaned a lot of rodents out of squirrel cages, the metal ones puree the mice better than the plastic ones!

[dmjlambert]

Does anybody happen to know a car parts store application for model/year of a metal squirrel cage? O'Reilly had no listing for one for our trucks, and they ordered one they thought would fit and was metal and the right size but the backspacing was wrong. With local car parts stores you must have the application.

[johnnyburban]

try four seasons #35602 for 1974-76 chevy trucks with standard heater. they use the same blower motor as our 67-72's. maybe the offset is the same. my book doesn't have one listed for 1973 or prior.

[mike16]

the metal ones corrode when the mice urinate and deficate on them. the plastic ones can at least be washed off.

[stsalvage]

To me metal spins faster.Plus with old age.Plastic comes apart