--snip--
I usually pull the  damaged end of that fan ground wire back outside to
the area behind the upper grill. Then I put a ring terminal on it and
screw it down to bare metal is a location easily seen with the grill
off. This removes it from the ground crown.
--snip--

After additional examination, I guess that I didn't pull that ground off
after all. I pulled the spare and found that somebody had already cut and
relocated the ground wire, except that they screwed it into the floor near
the shifter. I guess they just didn't bother to pull apart the melted
pieces, which seems like a considerable oversight. I'm guessing it was the
OO, in that from what I know I really doubt the second owner and especially
the third owner would've done had the wherewithal to do the job.
I'm out of daylight now but I'll check that modified ground tomorrow. After
that I'll check the fan and try to gauge its condition.
You evidently learn (or re-learn) all kinds of things when you pull your
spare. I have four new tires on the van and I've been planning to order a
fifth so I'll have a rotating set; iirc correctly I kept the 'best' of the
old tires for the spare at the time- a now ten-year-old passenger tire. Also
my washer reservoir is destructified. I may have to live without that; I
dunno that I'm gonna be up for dropping 75 clams plus for a new one and it
seems that a used one might be just as bad. Guess I'll go by the boneyard
and see. Money money money money... We can't keep doing this, Bob!

Cya,
Robert