What manuals are better
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
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What manuals are better
I have a 95 and I am not a car mechanic but I want to do some things myself. Is chilton or is haynes the best, I have the 2 red service manuals but I need more hands on then them
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Corvette Mike
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From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Team Owner
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
But they can be a bear to find things at times.
I also have a chilton's. It is a good reference if you pretty well have a diagnosis and just want info on how to go about something. Like say a break replacement or alternator swap.
The best thing to do is find a FSM as Mike said. I have seen them on ebay for 25 bucks. I have also been told it doesn't matter if you get the red one or the white. The white one is the one they send when a car is first introduced and then the red one is the final. There was someone on the forum a month ago and he was a certified GM mech and he said there were no differences. JMO and what I have been told.
Also the good thing about them is they are year specific.
Safety Car
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From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
2.) crack beer
3.) put garage tv on NFL
4.) open hood of car
5.) crack another beer
6.) open tool box
7.) start reading big red book
8.) crack another beer while watching that TD replay
9.) look under hood, look at tools
10.) turn off garage tv, crack another beer and finish watching the game on
the big TV
Start over next weekend
Last edited by socalman; Dec 20, 2009 at 08:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
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boy are you right
1.) open big red book
2.) crack beer
3.) put garage tv on NFL
4.) open hood of car
5.) crack another beer
6.) open tool box
7.) start reading big red book
8.) crack another beer while watching that TD replay
9.) look under hood, look at tools
10.) turn off garage tv, crack another beer and finish watching the game on
the big TV
Start over next weekend
2.) crack beer
3.) put garage tv on NFL
4.) open hood of car
5.) crack another beer
6.) open tool box
7.) start reading big red book
8.) crack another beer while watching that TD replay
9.) look under hood, look at tools
10.) turn off garage tv, crack another beer and finish watching the game on
the big TV
Start over next weekend
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
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From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Tucson Arizona
The problem with the FSM, and I believe there is a disclaimer to this effect, is that it is written for mechanics. The original poster indicates that he is not a mechanic. I think he is looking for a manual that "holds your hand" more than the FSM.
I agree that the FSM is the best technical data for maintaining the Corvette (although I think the '86 FSM is one of the worst I've seen). A Chiltons or Haynes manual may be better at offering how-to advice but they can be confusing since they will try to cover almost every C4 ever built.
A question for the original poster is "how deep do you want to go?" A related question, since you have the FSM, do you have or want to invest in tools and time for the work? If basic maintenance and tune-ups is the goal then I'd use the FSM and solicit help from this forum. If you want to go deeper, look for a local Corvette motorhead, buy him (or her) beer, and let them assist you.
Steve
I agree that the FSM is the best technical data for maintaining the Corvette (although I think the '86 FSM is one of the worst I've seen). A Chiltons or Haynes manual may be better at offering how-to advice but they can be confusing since they will try to cover almost every C4 ever built.
A question for the original poster is "how deep do you want to go?" A related question, since you have the FSM, do you have or want to invest in tools and time for the work? If basic maintenance and tune-ups is the goal then I'd use the FSM and solicit help from this forum. If you want to go deeper, look for a local Corvette motorhead, buy him (or her) beer, and let them assist you.
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
The problem with the FSM, and I believe there is a disclaimer to this effect, is that it is written for mechanics. The original poster indicates that he is not a mechanic. I think he is looking for a manual that "holds your hand" more than the FSM.
I agree that the FSM is the best technical data for maintaining the Corvette (although I think the '86 FSM is one of the worst I've seen). A Chiltons or Haynes manual may be better at offering how-to advice but they can be confusing since they will try to cover almost every C4 ever built.
A question for the original poster is "how deep do you want to go?" A related question, since you have the FSM, do you have or want to invest in tools and time for the work? If basic maintenance and tune-ups is the goal then I'd use the FSM and solicit help from this forum. If you want to go deeper, look for a local Corvette motorhead, buy him (or her) beer, and let them assist you.
Steve
I agree that the FSM is the best technical data for maintaining the Corvette (although I think the '86 FSM is one of the worst I've seen). A Chiltons or Haynes manual may be better at offering how-to advice but they can be confusing since they will try to cover almost every C4 ever built.
A question for the original poster is "how deep do you want to go?" A related question, since you have the FSM, do you have or want to invest in tools and time for the work? If basic maintenance and tune-ups is the goal then I'd use the FSM and solicit help from this forum. If you want to go deeper, look for a local Corvette motorhead, buy him (or her) beer, and let them assist you.
Steve
The FSM can be a bit overwhelming at times. I recommend both actually.
Because I have both
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
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The Helms Factory Service Manuals are really designed for a trained service tech, but it's interesting that GM put a order form in the back pages of nearly every Owner's Manual so that the FSM could be purchased directly from Helms.
As far as the Chilton or Haynes books, outside of having only representative pictures and a very basic explanation of repairs, they have little value outside of what would be an introduction to basic car repair. Outside of that, you could use them as an emergency backup supply of paper for the outhouse.....
The real problem with the Haynes and Chilton's books is that they don't provide detailed step-by-step repair procedures nor do they have information about error codes for diagnostics, no driveability information, no electrical information like year-specific wiring diagrams or component locator information.
But the FSM is written in easy to follow steps once you begin to understand the basics of car repair.
As far as the Chilton or Haynes books, outside of having only representative pictures and a very basic explanation of repairs, they have little value outside of what would be an introduction to basic car repair. Outside of that, you could use them as an emergency backup supply of paper for the outhouse.....
The real problem with the Haynes and Chilton's books is that they don't provide detailed step-by-step repair procedures nor do they have information about error codes for diagnostics, no driveability information, no electrical information like year-specific wiring diagrams or component locator information.
But the FSM is written in easy to follow steps once you begin to understand the basics of car repair.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
when I had my Roadrunner, a few years back, I had a Haynes repair manual. I used the heck out of it and it was actually a pretty good book. But again, it was basically for the novice that had mechanical ability.
But one must also take into account those cars are not nearly as complex as these things are.
But one must also take into account those cars are not nearly as complex as these things are.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
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Written for who?
The problem with the FSM, and I believe there is a disclaimer to this effect, is that it is written for mechanics. The original poster indicates that he is not a mechanic. I think he is looking for a manual that "holds your hand" more than the FSM.
I agree that the FSM is the best technical data for maintaining the Corvette (although I think the '86 FSM is one of the worst I've seen). A Chiltons or Haynes manual may be better at offering how-to advice but they can be confusing since they will try to cover almost every C4 ever built.
A question for the original poster is "how deep do you want to go?" A related question, since you have the FSM, do you have or want to invest in tools and time for the work? If basic maintenance and tune-ups is the goal then I'd use the FSM and solicit help from this forum. If you want to go deeper, look for a local Corvette motorhead, buy him (or her) beer, and let them assist you.
Steve
I agree that the FSM is the best technical data for maintaining the Corvette (although I think the '86 FSM is one of the worst I've seen). A Chiltons or Haynes manual may be better at offering how-to advice but they can be confusing since they will try to cover almost every C4 ever built.
A question for the original poster is "how deep do you want to go?" A related question, since you have the FSM, do you have or want to invest in tools and time for the work? If basic maintenance and tune-ups is the goal then I'd use the FSM and solicit help from this forum. If you want to go deeper, look for a local Corvette motorhead, buy him (or her) beer, and let them assist you.
Steve
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 289
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From: Tucson Arizona
The '86 FSM is poor compared to other FSMs I have ('97 Saturn, '66 Corvair, '79 Oldsmobile). On the other hand, the better FSMs compare well with the Air Force technical orders we use to maintain, test, and operate our missiles. The other FSMs have been vetted to remove non-applicable information (carbs on a C4?), provide clear illustrations, more complete instructions, and in some cases color wiring diagrams.
Of course, the military provides training on the systems to the testers, operators, and maintainers using the technical orders. They also have the special tools required (that is not a $400 hammer, it is a percussive maintenance tool designed for use in a nuclear , chemical, and biologically contaminated area with a certified 30 year life.)
Steve
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
The problem with the FSM, and I believe there is a disclaimer to this effect, is that it is written for mechanics. The original poster indicates that he is not a mechanic. I think he is looking for a manual that "holds your hand" more than the FSM.
I agree that the FSM is the best technical data for maintaining the Corvette (although I think the '86 FSM is one of the worst I've seen). A Chiltons or Haynes manual may be better at offering how-to advice but they can be confusing since they will try to cover almost every C4 ever built.
A question for the original poster is "how deep do you want to go?" A related question, since you have the FSM, do you have or want to invest in tools and time for the work? If basic maintenance and tune-ups is the goal then I'd use the FSM and solicit help from this forum. If you want to go deeper, look for a local Corvette motorhead, buy him (or her) beer, and let them assist you.
Steve
I agree that the FSM is the best technical data for maintaining the Corvette (although I think the '86 FSM is one of the worst I've seen). A Chiltons or Haynes manual may be better at offering how-to advice but they can be confusing since they will try to cover almost every C4 ever built.
A question for the original poster is "how deep do you want to go?" A related question, since you have the FSM, do you have or want to invest in tools and time for the work? If basic maintenance and tune-ups is the goal then I'd use the FSM and solicit help from this forum. If you want to go deeper, look for a local Corvette motorhead, buy him (or her) beer, and let them assist you.
Steve
The FSM's are great, have them, but a newbie needs something else as a primer.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
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I think not !
Rocket person said that there is a disclaimer people thinking the FSM's are for mechanics. I think he means he is every bit a mechanic because he is a rocket mechanic. I need somebody to hold my hand as per rocket person. I might not be a mechanic but one thing I can do is pick out a nerd in a crowd.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Arizona
Rocket person said that there is a disclaimer people thinking the FSM's are for mechanics. I think he means he is every bit a mechanic because he is a rocket mechanic. I need somebody to hold my hand as per rocket person. I might not be a mechanic but one thing I can do is pick out a nerd in a crowd.
Steve
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,884
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I will look out
If you are going to throw anything at me use your wallet you rocket nerds make big bucks I would expect. Just kidding Steve have a good night. Oh by the way I am a retired union carpenter master MECHANIC but not an auto mechanic.
