Thanks!
Very much!
I replaced the seal today - it seems to be fine. (no smoke, pump runs, water flows).
I was able to remove the motor / seal plate / impeller / diffuser without removing the pool water plumbing - Yay!
I was able to remove the shaft seal without removing the seal plate from the motor - Yay!

I had a couple issues along the way:
1) There was no impeller screw. Not to be found any where ??? The shaft is threaded for it, it looks like it should be in the impeller but none!
2) The EcoStar motor has a flat on only one side of the shaft. I had to remove the fan to get a wrench on it. No standard size wrench would fit, I had to use an adjustable to keep the shaft from spinning.
3) The impeller was tight - I couldn't break it free by hand ( I have RA and am weaker than I used to be ). I had to add some persuasion with a strap wrench.
4) Found the back of the motor (near the fan)was not spinning free and making a chunking sound???? Found the back plate of the motor loose and not pressed into the motor housing proper. There are four holes on this piece that look like they should be for screws to hold the plate on - they were empty. I tapped the back plate in place with a rubber mallet and now the shaft spins freely. Are there supposed to be screws holding the back of this motor in place?

Thanks again
Dave