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February 16, 2008
Read Your Manual Lately?
By Ron
aka WayTooFurious
When I was younger, my grandfather would sometimes start his stories with “I can remember when.” Well, I must be getting old because just the other day I was telling one of my friends “I can remember when we used to work on cars and didn’t have the internet as a source of information.” Back in the mid-80’s, of course, there were no message boards and no forums, and when you were troubleshooting something, all you had to work with was your shop manual and your own wits. Don’t get me wrong–I think the internet is a great source of knowledge, but I still think it pays to have a manual handy when you’re working, especially if you’re mechanically challenged like I am. If it’s 1 am and you are up to your elbows in engine and you’re stumped on something, it’s not always practical to surf the net or give your best friend a call. Two of my favourite manuals are Gregory’s Valiant CL & CM 1976-1981 Workshop Manual, and the fantastic Project Charger by Larry Lyles, based on a series of articles from Auto Restorer Magazine. Project Charger is inspirational and I have read mine so many times that I’ve almost worn it out. So what manuals have been most useful to you?
Comments
Heidi
Feb 17, 2008 at 8:53 am
The FSM for my car is electronic, so unless I print it out, there’s no paper version available. I got a Haynes manual, but it’s quite basic and combines two different model generations and 3 different engines into it, so it’s not very specific when it comes to my exact car. So my info comes on the computer for the most part.
Stewart
Feb 16, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I have the set of three GM factory shop manuals for my Roadmaster.
I also have the Haynes manual, but it’s just about worthless compared to the FSM.
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I recently fixed my ‘99 Miata by doing a web search. The 99’s have a small passage in the top of the intake manifold that gets clogged, and then throws a code for the EGR valve. Without the ability to do the web search, I would have spent hundreds for a part that I did not need.
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The same goes for my RoadMonster. Without the support of Buick B-Body Forums, I would not have ever been able to do the mods that my car has…
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Sure, I refer to the manuals, but I check with my forum buddies first.
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Thank you internet!!!!
Anonymous
Feb 16, 2008 at 2:56 pm
anything with torque numbers. then cheat them for all thier worth. The first knowledge being internal combustion, gasoline, trial and error with durability, injected and carbed, electronic ignition or others. If you have a memory more than a day…it boils down to challenging torque numbers and bizarre alien electrical systems…the rest is what cars suck and cars don’t.