mokey

My son and I just bought an 81 vette last week. It is a driver and needs several things fixed. One headlight won't raise, all 4 headlights stay on all the time when the lights are turned on, horn does not work, battery drains when sitting, and the car only gets 10mpg.

My question is, which repair manual contains the best repair info for the 81. Would it be the haynes manual or the Chilton manual. Perhpas someone makes an even better manual. If so, please feel free to share that info with me also.

Thanks
Mike Poole

lars

You don't want either one of those - they're junk. Get the actual GM Shop Manual and the Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) for your year from any one of the Vette parts suppliers.

Lars

charleyahrens

I agree, there is no substitute for the factory manuals.

Petes73

I have both along with the AIM. I do not consider any of them junk. Both Haynes and Chiltons give descriptions of how to do what you need. AIM has the actual diagram. I guess it all depends on if you are a picture or word person.

Being slow and a master of nothing I take everything into consideration.

qwank

this one:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...9&partnum=9574

$46 on Rockauto

BBCorv70

I find Haynes and Chiltons to be rather generic, not year specific. The publisher tries to fit as many years into a single publication as they can. Year specific changes may not be accounted for.

Factory shop manuals are available for each year. I have a bit more confidence in the factory manuals and AIMs. Been burnt years ago by a Chiltons which didn't mention some hidden screws.

Alan 71

Hi Mike,
WELCOME! First Post!
AND, a good first question.
I agree that while the Chilton and Haynes manuals are o.k., the GM Chassis Service Manual for your 81 will prove it's worth and become your good friend.
Also the AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual) for your 81 will be very helpful for some jobs too.
Good Luck with you new, old, 81!
Regards,
Alan

TedH

Agree. My shop manual is well oiled/greased. I use it every time I dive into the engine bay for torque specs and other guidance. I also refer to many of my 'how to' books from HPBooks, SADesign, etc. that I've accumulated in last 17 years of ownership.

Then, there is the 'forum that is been 99.9% info source for all of my projects.

hugie82

The shop manual is best but Haynes and Clilton are both good for different areas. For example, the Clilton covered diagnosing cruise control problems. Haynes was better on front end rebuild. Always do your homework and most projects will be easy

mokey

thanks everyone for the quick replies. I wasn't expecting so many quick and informative responses.

flyeri

The Chilton and Haynes, while maybe not the best, are not junk if you have never tackled a particular job before and are seeking information. I use any information I can get, including posts found here before taking on something I haven't done before. I need pictures and words and between the GM manuals and the third party publications I get a pretty good feel for what I am going to be up against.

Jeff_Keryk

Along with the factory manuals, I rely on my old Motor Manuals. I love these books.

7t9l82

they are pretty close to worthless. get the factory books.

nz corvette

Hi, The more manuals and books you have, the more info you have, the better your decisions
I've got lots or use the Corvette Forum!!
All good Dave NZ

TedH

I've 3-4 of the 'C3 Resto' books with pics and specifications. Richard Newton's book is my favorite as it details a complete '68 restoration from neglected barn status to full resto. Great addition for most of the hard to find details of the cars. I also picked up an NCRS book for my year C3 a few years back for more details. Knowledge is power.

With all of the engine, carb and Performance books (and even an 80-85 Motors manual), I have a nice shelf of reference manuals accumulated in the 17 years of ownership. And, I build folders (the paper kind) of every project so I have detailed records of each.

I just picked up a nice reference that details Arty Dorsett's (Van Steel) resto of his '80 L48 (from SADesign I think). I like it since my car is the '80 L48 and they detailed the full restoration.

Easy Mike

Yep. Those are good. Chilton and Haynes are fine as long as you understand they are typically generic and usually not model year specific.

doorgunner

Repeated:

I have always bought a Haynes or Chilton with every vehicle purchase.

But with the Corvette, I finally took the advice of Forum Experts (you know who you are...A./E.M/M.W/L. ...to hint at a few....LOL).....and I bought the year-specific Service Manual and AIM to start off with.

After a month of using those two books, I brought my unopened Corvette Chiltons book back for a refund.

Then this last Christmas I received a wireless printer as a present...now the Corvette Forum is my 3rd source.

When you guys post advice that I currently need....OR will need in the future repairs I have planned, your info goes to the wireless---then to a 3-hole-puncher----then to my info-binder in my car!

Thanks Members!

(Sorry Mr. Chilton)

scottyp99

A warning about the Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM). It is not set up to be used as a reference material, it was made for the guys building these cars on the assembly line. It doesn't have a Table of contents or an Index that are easily useable, you just kind of have to flip through it until you stumble across what you are looking for. That being said, it contains information and diagrams that you just plain won't find anywhere else. I have found it to be a lifesaver, once I get done cursing whoever designed the layout of the book! It is especially useful for repairing things that a prior owner has half-assed, as it shows you exactly how things are supposed to be set up. Also, if you are trying to choose between the Chilton's and the Haynes, I say get both. Some jobs are covered in greater detail in one than the other.

Welcome to the Corvette adventure! If you ever feel like you are in over your head, (and you will) just remember the old African adage: How do you eat an Elephant? One bite at a time. And don't be afraid to ask dumb questions here on the forum, that's what it's here for.

Scott

donyue

I have the Haynes, Chilton, AIM, and the year specific shop manual for my 77.

I also have some other aftermarket books that provide C3 restoration information and cross reference engine part numbers for Chevy engines.

If other publications come out I will purchase those as well. Remember, our cars can be as old as 1968. In many cases our cars are older than the current mechanics in many shops.

I feel it never hurts to have as much information about my car as possible. It has saved me many dollars and many hours of frustration by having key information.

This forum is also irreplaceable when it comes to providing great recommendations and information.

0Willcox Corvette

I use our pdf AIM's (because they have the search links, and are a way better copy than the new bundled copies floating around the internet), I use the factory service manuals and I use my personal library that can be found on our web site.

Tech pictures
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...+%23&x=36&y=10

Repair and Install Help
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...rds=&x=42&y=10

Tech Videos
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...t+%23&x=50&y=1

All three can be searched by year and are free for everyone to use...

Monkey.. Welcome to the forum, and enjoy that new ride. Most your questions can be resolved on this forum.

Willcox