finished modifying the heater core/blower motor to clear the cage.
I removed the a/c exchanger and cut off most of the housing (I also shortened the pipes for the heater core)
then i fabbed up a sheetmetal cover for it, caulked it and fastened it down
on the blower side I took a rubber exhaust boot and cut it down so i could cram it inside
and here's a look at how it all fits together
