Thanks so much for the Service Manual info. The way it is written, it sounds like more of an alignment issue than a power issue. In any case. I'll be sure to have it carefully installed before turning the key on. I wonder if I should disconnect the battery as a further precaution?

 

OK, no more eating earthworms and nightcrawlers! The project is complete. I installed the NOS motor and watched the vent flap open and close with surgical precision. I'll no longer have to drive to work with fogged up windows!
The biggest issue I ran into is that the motor I bought was not identical to the original one. I'll post a pic of the two of them, but the actuating lever on the two was of a different design and length. They are not compatible. To get around this, I pried the original one off and put it on the new one. Easy enough and it worked. The Ford part numbers are nearly identical, but the Jaguar part number is different. The Jaguar part number for the one I bought on eBay is XR8 26344. They must have changed the design somewhere along the way. The lever with the white plastic fitting is the one I removed from my car. I put that lever on the new motor.
Anyways, many thanks to Karl and also to scottjh9. This Forum is such a great resource for non-mechanics like me. Happy Holidays!

 

Excellent and always welcome. We try our best