Which assembly manual?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 562
Likes: 1
Which assembly manual?
Someone suggested ditching my Chilton's Manual and getting one of the assembly manuals offered by Corvette parts vendors. Apparently, the choices are more numerous than I have time to deliberate over which one is best. Can anyone suggest a good manual for a C-3, and why you like the manual you selected?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi g,
Knowing what year car you're asking about would help people refine their suggestions.
Generally what folks recommend are:
The GM Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) for the year of the car.
The GM Chassis Service Manual for the year of the car.
The Owner's Manual for the year of the car.
These 3 are really a help in figuring out what's going on with your car and how to begin to fix it if it needs fixing.
Also, a good electrical schematic drawing and vacuum operations diagram are usually helpful too.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Knowing what year car you're asking about would help people refine their suggestions.
Generally what folks recommend are:
The GM Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) for the year of the car.
The GM Chassis Service Manual for the year of the car.
The Owner's Manual for the year of the car.
These 3 are really a help in figuring out what's going on with your car and how to begin to fix it if it needs fixing.
Also, a good electrical schematic drawing and vacuum operations diagram are usually helpful too.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 19, 2016 at 10:08 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
As Alan mentioned, the year would help alot.
Here's my 2 cents:
- Don't 'ditch' the Chiltons - it's always good to have multiple sources for information.
- Alot of people on here really push the AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual), and it IS a VERY GOOD reference, but contains no troubleshooting info - just alot of info (mostly just pictures) about how all the parts fit together. Definitely worth having on hand sometimes, but won't replace the Chiltons.
- for my 79, I bought the GM Shop manual. It is more similar to a Chiltons book, but goes into a lot more detail and usually only covers a single year. If you go to E-Bay, type in '19xx corvette shop manual' (replacing XX with your year) you should see some examples.
EDIT: Based on some of your prior forum posts, it looks like you have a 69. I think the GM service manual would be the one titled 'Chassis Service Manual' and covers Chevelle, Camaro, Chevy II, and Corvette. (you'll see mutliple ones for sale if you type in my search text above).
Here's my 2 cents:
- Don't 'ditch' the Chiltons - it's always good to have multiple sources for information.
- Alot of people on here really push the AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual), and it IS a VERY GOOD reference, but contains no troubleshooting info - just alot of info (mostly just pictures) about how all the parts fit together. Definitely worth having on hand sometimes, but won't replace the Chiltons.
- for my 79, I bought the GM Shop manual. It is more similar to a Chiltons book, but goes into a lot more detail and usually only covers a single year. If you go to E-Bay, type in '19xx corvette shop manual' (replacing XX with your year) you should see some examples.
EDIT: Based on some of your prior forum posts, it looks like you have a 69. I think the GM service manual would be the one titled 'Chassis Service Manual' and covers Chevelle, Camaro, Chevy II, and Corvette. (you'll see mutliple ones for sale if you type in my search text above).
Last edited by bradleyb66; Sep 19, 2016 at 10:45 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,705
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I think each manual has its place and there isn't really a definitive reference.
The AIM is more of a picture book but is invaluable. It's the starting point to figure out how it should have been put together and in what order. It does have some useful procedures like how to align the Windows.
The service manual is the best troubleshooting guide. It's specific to the year and provides procedures and torque values. Remember though, it was intended for mechanics.
Chitons (or Haynes) tend to be very detailed and idiot proof in their directions. Not every repair is covered and because their manuals cover many years and models, sometimes they're hard to follow. Sometimes they are just plain wrong.
Another trick that many on here use is the drawings in some of the parts catalogs. Just like the AIM, it'll help you figure out how it's supposed to be. With these forty year old cars, a lot of incompetent work has been done to them and undoing things that were done incorrectly takes more research and effort than just swapping out a worn out part.
The AIM is more of a picture book but is invaluable. It's the starting point to figure out how it should have been put together and in what order. It does have some useful procedures like how to align the Windows.
The service manual is the best troubleshooting guide. It's specific to the year and provides procedures and torque values. Remember though, it was intended for mechanics.
Chitons (or Haynes) tend to be very detailed and idiot proof in their directions. Not every repair is covered and because their manuals cover many years and models, sometimes they're hard to follow. Sometimes they are just plain wrong.
Another trick that many on here use is the drawings in some of the parts catalogs. Just like the AIM, it'll help you figure out how it's supposed to be. With these forty year old cars, a lot of incompetent work has been done to them and undoing things that were done incorrectly takes more research and effort than just swapping out a worn out part.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 562
Likes: 1
Thanks, all. Surprisingly, or maybe no so, when I googled the manuals a multitude of images came up online. The car goes into mothballs for winter next month so will ask Santa for a couple of these manuals you recommend.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi g,
While there may be a multitude of images there really are just 2 or 3 of the books that you should start with. The AIM, CSM, and owner's manual for your specific year car!
Santa will be here before we know it!!!!
Regards,
Alan
While there may be a multitude of images there really are just 2 or 3 of the books that you should start with. The AIM, CSM, and owner's manual for your specific year car!
Santa will be here before we know it!!!!
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
I use the AIM almost exclusively. If I can see how something is put together I'm smart enough to take it apart. It also helps put something back together that you've had apart for a while.
I have the Chilton's and Haynes manuals but they are so generic that a lot of the instructions are not exclusive to Corvettes. I've noticed there are some diagrams and pictures in these manual that are NOT Corvettes. They usually stay on my bookshelf.
If you get the AIM also get the index. Although it's not impossible to find stuff in the AIM it does take some time figuring out how GM's AIM is layed out. The vendor supplied index makes it easy.
I have the Chilton's and Haynes manuals but they are so generic that a lot of the instructions are not exclusive to Corvettes. I've noticed there are some diagrams and pictures in these manual that are NOT Corvettes. They usually stay on my bookshelf.
If you get the AIM also get the index. Although it's not impossible to find stuff in the AIM it does take some time figuring out how GM's AIM is layed out. The vendor supplied index makes it easy.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Someone suggested ditching my Chilton's Manual and getting one of the assembly manuals offered by Corvette parts vendors. Apparently, the choices are more numerous than I have time to deliberate over which one is best. Can anyone suggest a good manual for a C-3, and why you like the manual you selected?
If you do decide to place an order, just place a note in the order notes section that you want one and my guys will include it with your order.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Sep 20, 2016 at 10:32 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 562
Likes: 1
We offer a special from time to time for purchases over 100.00.. and I know you might not need anything right now, but if you purchase an order over 100.00 we'll give you the assembly manual on CD that is Optical Character Recognized and includes key search words.... For Free. It is the best AIM you can get.
If you do decide to place an order, just place a note in the order notes section that you want one and my guys will include it with your order.
Willcox
If you do decide to place an order, just place a note in the order notes section that you want one and my guys will include it with your order.
Willcox