Best service manual?

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Mar 17, 2005 | 10:44 AM

Carl Johansson

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2004

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Best service manual?

OK guys, the time has come to buy some sort of service manual. As I recall most members recomend the Helms factory service manual - at a cool 94 bucks! (non corvette pre 1995 costs 20 bucks!)

So is it the Helms book - or are their better choices available? If not from Helms - where should I buy one? Didn't someone around here have it on CD?

I have an 86 coupe - but I am currently putting in a ZZ4 and a Tremek T500.
Carl "hoping to not accumulate a library of redundant or useless reading material" Johansson

Mar 17, 2005 | 10:52 AM

rocco16

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 13,348

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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Johansson

As I recall most members recomend the Helms factory service manual

There's a reason for that.
It's the factory manual and is the most comprehensive.
Bite the bullet, get it, and be done with it. If you're looking to save money, buy cheap wax.

Larry
code5coupe

Mar 17, 2005 | 10:52 AM

rocco16

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 13,348

Likes: 233

From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Johansson

As I recall most members recomend the Helms factory service manual

There's a reason for that.
It's the factory manual and is the most comprehensive.
Bite the bullet, get it, and be done with it. If you're looking to save money, buy cheap wax.

Larry
code5coupe

Mar 17, 2005 | 10:59 AM

Carl Johansson

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,638

Likes: 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocco16

There's a reason for that.
It's the factory manual and is the most comprehensive.
Bite the bullet, get it, and be done with it. If you're looking to save money, buy cheap wax.

Larry
code5coupe

Not looking to save money Larry - looking to spend my money wisely - thats what makes the forum so great - no substitute for experience. Thanks

Mar 17, 2005 | 12:33 PM

c4cruiser

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 34,873

Likes: 487

From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69

NCM Sinkhole Donor

The Helms manual is the one available to the GM service techs at a dealership. Go to www.helminc.com to order the set. You can also find them on eBay from time to time.

If you go the eBay route, make sure yo get the Helm manuals with the RED covers. Manuals with white covers are a preliminary version and do not have all the final information that the red-cover books do.

It would be great to see Helm come out with a CD version of the manual. A used laptop in the garage with a CD-ROM drive or a HD large enough to hold the files would be a great tool to have

Mar 17, 2005 | 12:46 PM

gmcdougle

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 110

Likes: 0

From: Boca Raton FL

I have the chilton manual. It is just OK. I wish it was a bit more detailed but its just OK.

For my C6 I'm waiting for the Helms.

Mar 17, 2005 | 02:07 PM

Strick

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 11,671

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From: Lake Wylie SC

Just buy the Helms Service Manual! That and this forum is all you can possibly ask for when it comes to learning about your Vette. Trust us on this one.

Mar 17, 2005 | 02:41 PM

SilverBeast

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 1,593

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From: Mobile AL

St. Jude Donor '05

Go to Helms!

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Mar 18, 2005 | 11:27 PM

SLOWRIDE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Orange TX

Mar 19, 2005 | 12:43 AM

#10

ToyC4

Drifting

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,485

Likes: 2

From: Champaign, IL

St. Jude Donor '05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Johansson

looking to spend my money wisely

I bought my red service manual used from wheelsup for cheap, post a WTB thread in C4 parts for sale or check on ebay don't buy it new. on the other hand owning the red service manual I still want one of the cheap ones from the parts store every once in a while because you can never have too much info. So if you buy one and you want more info buy another one, I don't think you'll buy one and regret it.

Mar 19, 2005 | 01:25 AM

#11

Perfusion

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 11,043

Likes: 3

From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero

I got mine off eBay... Believe me, it will save you money over the life of the car time and time again. By comparison, the $94 is a bargain!

Mar 19, 2005 | 10:39 AM

#12

carson

Racer

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 311

Likes: 2

From: Roseburg OR

My thanks to the Forum

I hardly ever open my manual with all the info here on the Forum. It is usually explained better here with hints to make it easier or what to watch out for.

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