Replacing convection fan in Econo

My Econo convection fan is on its last legs. Called the dealer and they have one, I'm going to pick it up in the morning.

I told the dealer I didn't see any way to get in there and she said I just have to break off the rivets that hold the old one in place and secure the new one with screws or bolts. I think I can probably do that without a huge amount of trouble (breaking the rivets will be the most difficult part).

Question is for anyone else who has done this - looking for tips and tricks to make it as easy and smooth as possible. I don't want to remove the hopper if I don't have to.

NOTE: This is the ECONO. The convection fan is located inside the hopper and is enclosed in a "sealed" case that is riveted closed and riveted to the wall of the hopper. This is the set up on the ECONO, which is different from other models.

According to some of the OTHER posts on the Econo Fan replacement, looks like you have to remove the hopper and probalby drill out some rivets.

I did do a search and didn't see any OTHER posts on replacing this fan.

That said, if I have to remove the hopper, is it just those two bolts? I don't see any on the bottom. What about replacing the gasket on the bottom? Am I going to run into things I don't expect under the hopper? Are there things I need to be careful of when putting it back on?

Sorry double post

The rivets are underneath the fan facing the bottom of the hopper, I used a chisel and cut the ones that hold the box to the hopper to remove the whole thing. I also changed to a different fan but thats more work.

Good Luck, Stant

I recently change the convection fan on my Econo...and yes, the hopper has to come off. It is just the 2 bolts holding it on, its pretty easy. Use an power drill to break the heads off of the rivets, then just pop them thru. I actually purchased a light duty rivet gun and a pack of 1/8" rivets instead of bolting the new fan in. Rivets are really easy to work with...esp. with only one set of hands.