The element choice should be guided by the voltage it takes to run THAT motor.
I don't have a battery for my caliper to measure. The specs are in print though, so give it a while for the gauge size to show here.
If the element is ok, don't replace it. Ni-crome is some durable stuff. To increase smoke if low, just unrap one or two windings clamp and test the new heat out and crimp when you're happy.
The crimp note is correct. Sometimes you can "trap" ni-chrome in solder blobs, but it could get hot enough to melt the solder.So you've gotta watch using the trick with some; crimp if you can.
You can take an x-Ω ceramic resistor and carefully grind off the top coat of ceramic off until the wire begins to show. Now you have a new style element like the liquid conversions, etc. More delicate to burnouts, but cheaper and easy access common electrical supply parts.
"variety pacs" to play with them 
I love PW elements, but I've have liquid elements that are +40yrs old too and have run dry plenty, still working. (not huge smokers, but reliable and cool, my Generals and a 665 come to mind) (Generals are plastic stacks, so heat must be a tad lower)
