I went ahead and bit the bullet and got the fan/reg/cover updated parts locally with a discount through a friend. The 'hellacious' summer heat is just hitting us and I prefer that my wife and daughter are in a reliably cooled car. Combined with an a/c system check up, the climate control is working better than it ever has. I can hop into the car after it has been backing in the sun and have near instant cold air. Perfect.

Worth every penny.

__________________
85 300D 3 pedal. Current project.
83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.