Service Manual

Cajun · Post by **Cajun** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 5:44 pm

Who's service manual do you guys find the most useful, Haynes, Chilton, etc?

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 5:48 pm

Haynes is Ok for specs. If you want a good manual invest in the Helm's GM factory service manual.

Lubing and manuals

JaVeRo · Post by **JaVeRo** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 6:19 am

I bought the Helms GM factory service manual and was really dissappointed. No pictures just pencil sketches and some of them poor quality. Many of the instructions lack a lot.

For a qualified mechanic, that may be sufficient. For a shade tree hack like me, I need pictures and instructions on how to remove something, not just what to remove.

James

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:18 am

You are not going to find something better than the Helm manual.
Haynes is a little better than Chiltons, IMO, but both are lacking what is needed for a novice.
I have "The Volkswagen bible" : "How to keep your Volkswagen Alive, A manual of step by step procedures for the compleat idiot" by John Muir.
This one is what everyone needs. The problem is that vehicles have become much more complex. There is not usually a simple answer that can be written into a 266 page manual.
While the "complete idiot guide" does not exist for our trucks, I would like to think we have resources here that can equal or exceed anything that can be compiled into a manual.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:50 am

HenryJ wrote:..................I have "The Volkswagen bible" : "How to keep your Volkswagen Alive, A manual of step by step procedures for the compleat idiot" by John Muir.

If, that is the one from the seventies then, I have it somewhere. It could literally teach anyone on how to do anything to a Type 1

It even told you when to tuck in your long hair to perform an operation.

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:59 am

That IS the one!

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:12 am

That's my favorite automotive "how to" book of all time. It, kept my 67' going through college and long after we parted ways

JaVeRo · Post by **JaVeRo** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:56 pm

HenryJ wrote:You are not going to find something better than the Helm manual.

Maybe I come on a little harsh about the Helm manual and need to clear that up. It is definitely better than the Haynes or Chiltons. It just seems to assume you know how to do many of the procedures and know where most of the components are located.

I have a manual on a 79 truck I bought new just out of college. Very detailed and explanatory with pictures. I was expecting the same with the new ones and was disappointed.

James

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:05 pm

JaVeRo wrote:Maybe I come on a little harsh about the Helm manual and need to clear that up. It is definitely better than the Haynes or Chiltons. It just seems to assume you know how to do many of the procedures and know where most of the components are located.

You are not harsh. It is written for the GM trained service technician. Haynes is handy for simple stuff, and specifications. The big Chiltons manual does a pretty good job, but I have a hard time trying to find anything in there.
I would say I like the ESI GM service data the best. Searchable. Application by VIN. I do use the print version too. Sometimes leafing through is the way to go.
Learn everything you can from any sources you can find. The sign of intelligence is one who knows to ask a question. There are no stupid questions. Only stupid people who do not ask questions.

rlrnr53 · Post by **rlrnr53** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:41 am

HenryJ wrote:
Learn everything you can from any sources you can find. The sign of intelligence is one who knows to ask a question. There are no stupid questions. Only stupid people who do not ask questions.

Knowledge is power. The more you know, the better you can deal with service managers, parts countermen, etc.

Wrangler · Post by **Wrangler** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:49 pm

HenryJ wrote:
JaVeRo wrote:Maybe I come on a little harsh about the Helm manual and need to clear that up. It is definitely better than the Haynes or Chiltons. It just seems to assume you know how to do many of the procedures and know where most of the components are located.
You are not harsh. It is written for the GM trained service technician. Haynes is handy for simple stuff, and specifications. The big Chiltons manual does a pretty good job, but I have a hard time trying to find anything in there.
I would say I like the ESI GM service data the best. Searchable. Application by VIN. I do use the print version too. Sometimes leafing through is the way to go.
Learn everything you can from any sources you can find. The sign of intelligence is one who knows to ask a question. There are no stupid questions. Only stupid people who do not ask questions.

I just finally got around to installing a copy of the ESI manual on my XP install. It seems informative but I like a book better for repairs. LOL If any one needs a copy I can try to help them out. I tried uploading it to my site but the 4.3 GB's is painful to upload. LOL

border man · Post by **border man** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:07 pm

Wrangler wrote:
I just finally got around to installing a copy of the ESI manual on my XP install. It seems informative but I like a book better for repairs. LOL If any one needs a copy I can try to help them out. I tried uploading it to my site but the 4.3 GB's is painful to upload. LOL

I'm interested....