I installed it as it was since the fan was spinning freely with no interference, and also installed a new flame sensor instead of cleaning the old one yet again. I also cleaned the squirrel cage real good because it was covered in compacted dust - including cleaning with wire brush, air compressor and carb cleaner - I don't recommend the last as it took off most of the paint too. This replacement motor was a $75 unit I got at Grainger since nobody had an exact replacement of the old 4 speed motor in stock. This is a 3-speed motor but the thing is the old motor was only hooked up for 2 speeds, black wire in the 1 spot, red wire in the 2 spot. I wired this one with the blue wire in the 2 spot instead of red (which I assume will give me high and medium, no low speed), and everything seems to be working great. It's so quiet you can barely hear it running, and it actually stays on until the house heats up to the set temperature and keeps it there. I can't remember when it didn't shut down before the right temp was reached and we've lived here for 12 years. I think this is going to be good for a few more years now.