[Avulon]

You forgot :


1) Disconnect battery! There's a permanent live IIRC to the fan motor. And always a sensible precaution when working under the bonnet and on any of the car electrics or electronics.





Other helpful tips:



You can remove the fan rotor from the motor, it's only a bayonet fit.


On a Mk1 car you only need to remove the grill and ducting behind to access the fan rotor and the resistor btw. (two plastic scrivets to remove). Although you need to be quite good at working in small spaces for this method.



On both cars that I've done there is plenty of cable if you locate and remove (cut off) the existing cable ties.



Also there should be a hex headed screw in the front top of each wheel arch, sounds like yours are missing. Normally these prevent the bumper sides being pulled out of the clips.