Which Book
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 553
From: Mays Landing, NJ
Which Book
What is the preferred book among the C4 members here Chilton's or Haynes. With the great knowledge available here I'm looking for the best reference "bible" to follow up on that advice.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Both the Chilton's and the Haynes books are good . . . for wrapping fish or lining the bottom of your bird cage! They are too general, and don't have specific information about your '91 Corvette. Each year Corvette has special features. That's why the perennial question for every person that posts a question on this forum, is "What year Corvette?" It makes a huge difference if you want the right answer! Every year is different! The engineers were busy, trying to build the "perfect Corvette".
The book(s) you want is the FSM (Factory Shop/Service Manual). It's a two volume set, with the very important electrical information, known as section 8, in the second book. They show up on eBay, and there are reproductions available. They are produced by Helm Inc. POB 7130 Detroit MI 48203.
The book(s) you want is the FSM (Factory Shop/Service Manual). It's a two volume set, with the very important electrical information, known as section 8, in the second book. They show up on eBay, and there are reproductions available. They are produced by Helm Inc. POB 7130 Detroit MI 48203.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 553
From: Mays Landing, NJ
Your input is very much appreciated for a newbie like me and will be obtaining a FSM. While I'm sure there will be questions that I'll have to reach out to the membership, having the proper starting point to trouble shooting will save me from getting frustrated.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 655
Likes: 237
From: Louisville, Ky
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Lots of manuals may be available at the library. I checked out a few of them to see if I wanted to buy one. Decided that if I needed one I would just get it from the library. I did pick up one to the all make/model big chiltons that covered my 85. It was cheap at one of the antique malls. Always here, google (or your preference), youtube and what have you.
HTH,
Joe K
HTH,
Joe K
Pro
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 671
Likes: 170
From: Birmingham, Alabama
You can't go wrong with the FSM, but if Chilton's or Hayne's are your only choices at the moment, I'd go with Chilton's, but to be honest, you'll get much better instruction from YouTube. I have a shelf full of Chilton's manuals that I haven;t opened in years.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by Hot Rod Roy;1598592307[b
]Both the Chilton's and the Haynes books are good . . . for wrapping fish or lining the bottom of your bird cage![/b] They are too general, and don't have specific information about your '91 Corvette. Each year Corvette has special features. That's why the perennial question for every person that posts a question on this forum, is "What year Corvette?" It makes a huge difference if you want the right answer! Every year is different! The engineers were busy, trying to build the "perfect Corvette".
The book(s) you want is the FSM (Factory Shop/Service Manual). It's a two volume set, with the very important electrical information, known as section 8, in the second book. They show up on eBay, and there are reproductions available. They are produced by Helm Inc. POB 7130 Detroit MI 48203.
The book(s) you want is the FSM (Factory Shop/Service Manual). It's a two volume set, with the very important electrical information, known as section 8, in the second book. They show up on eBay, and there are reproductions available. They are produced by Helm Inc. POB 7130 Detroit MI 48203.
There are some sellers that offer a CD version, but they usually are scanned individual pages of the books.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 553
From: Mays Landing, NJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 254
From: Downers Grove Illinois
Does this http://www.autorepairmanuals.biz/product/ST36491-EDM-SB look legit?
Last edited by JimLentz; Dec 31, 2018 at 05:06 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I purchased both an electronic copy and the paper copies. I actually use both versions.
I have no experience with that company but these are legit and the price is in the ball park, especially if they charge shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Corvet...vax:rk:14:pf:0
here are others, they don't have the update bulletin supplement though
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Chevro...I8~:rk:20:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-GM-Che...IkZ:rk:47:pf:0
service bulletin update
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Dealer...6FH:rk:54:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Chevro...5VA:rk:53:pf:0
I have no experience with that company but these are legit and the price is in the ball park, especially if they charge shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Corvet...vax:rk:14:pf:0
here are others, they don't have the update bulletin supplement though
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Chevro...I8~:rk:20:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-GM-Che...IkZ:rk:47:pf:0
service bulletin update
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Dealer...6FH:rk:54:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Chevro...5VA:rk:53:pf:0
Last edited by drcook; Dec 31, 2018 at 05:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 553
From: Mays Landing, NJ
[QUOTE=drcook;1598596779]I purchased both an electronic copy and the paper copies. I actually use both versions.
I have no experience with that company but these are legit and the price is in the ball park, especially if they charge shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Corvet...vax:rk:14:pf:0
here are others, they don't have the update bulletin supplement though
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Chevro...I8~:rk:20:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-GM-Che...IkZ:rk:47:pf:0
[/QUOTE]
That Ebay link looked perfect so I went ahead and ordered it. Many thanks, I'm really looking forward to receiving it so I can move forward with repairs.
I have no experience with that company but these are legit and the price is in the ball park, especially if they charge shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Corvet...vax:rk:14:pf:0
here are others, they don't have the update bulletin supplement though
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-Chevro...I8~:rk:20:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-GM-Che...IkZ:rk:47:pf:0
[/QUOTE]
That Ebay link looked perfect so I went ahead and ordered it. Many thanks, I'm really looking forward to receiving it so I can move forward with repairs.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 229
From: Michigan
I prefer to have them all handy TBH. I keep the FSM in the house on the bookshelf to keep it protected. I have a Hayne's in the garage, and I always Google and Youtube anything.
With all my older "fun" cars I have owned, after 15-30 years someone has probably had your problem before, there is probably a thread or video out there for it, and you can never do enough research and preperation before wrenching on something. Unless you have done it many times before, and then you are your own research.
I have found the Hayne's manual very helpful at times and I have found the FSM very lacking at times. For example... what all needs to come out to get the tensioner out. All the manuals talk about checking the mark (you can't see) and removing the bolt to pull it out. Non mentioned the need to pull the power steering pulley out to make room.... some of this may be due to having a supercharger... but often I feel YouTube, Google, and Forums tend to have the most help with the odds and ends of any jobs and tips to make it quicker and easier.
With all my older "fun" cars I have owned, after 15-30 years someone has probably had your problem before, there is probably a thread or video out there for it, and you can never do enough research and preperation before wrenching on something. Unless you have done it many times before, and then you are your own research.
I have found the Hayne's manual very helpful at times and I have found the FSM very lacking at times. For example... what all needs to come out to get the tensioner out. All the manuals talk about checking the mark (you can't see) and removing the bolt to pull it out. Non mentioned the need to pull the power steering pulley out to make room.... some of this may be due to having a supercharger... but often I feel YouTube, Google, and Forums tend to have the most help with the odds and ends of any jobs and tips to make it quicker and easier.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 315
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 74
From: New Carlisle IN
I believe they went to 3 books later in the production. I know C5s have 3 books as does my 98 camaro. The 91 the OP has only has 2 books as I have one myself. If he had a ZR-1, then there would also be an LT5 supplement.