I just ordered a haynes tbird 83-88 repair manual.
i was just curious as to which line of books you gents felt was better, the haynes or the chiltons? ill probably be getting the chilton manual too eventually. .... the older 83-92 version.
these books any good for an 87 tbird? thanks
Haynes, gives step by step instructions on how to do things and good pictures
I intend on getting both at some point.. but for now all I have is the Haynes, and I am not unhappy with it.
have both, and both are very handy
chiltons has a list of trouble codes, haynes does not
If you have a library card, go onto your local library's website. They should have something like an online reference database.
In there you should see an automotive reference database.
Enter your library card number to log in and you will have access to the manuals for free.
Some may not be as thourough for each car as the actual manual, but it highlights most of the stuff with the actual pages of the manual in pdf format.
I did this when I did my cobra manifold swap to make sure all connections were right and bolts were torqued down correctly. Looked up a 93 mustang cobra and got all the diagrams I needed.
May save some $$.
Get both. They're only ~$15 a pop. They'll pay for themselves the first time you use them. I've found the Chilton convers a few things better than the Haynes, and visa versa. But remember, all the cool kids have the Helm. ;)
doesn't the autozone website have the ENTIRE chiltons listed for pretty much any vehicle? Typed out and scanned pictures
The
cooler kids have Mitchell OnDemand :D
Yes.... Yes they do.....http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=RG001&UserAction=beginRepairGuide
That's not too bad for free and online.
I've been a huge fan of one of the older Chilton's books. The 1983-92 T-Bird/Cougar Chilton's manual is excellent and has full wiring diagrams for those years. They're small and sometimes a tad difficult to read, but they're there. You can find them on eBay relatively easy. But it has to be for those model years; earlier and later books did not have those wiring diagrams.
Haynes books seem to have more practical information for maintenance and other things. In some ways the Haynes books are worlds above any Chilton's manual.
Also, having an EVTM book for your model year is indispensible. Although there isn't much for V (vacuum), which sucks because of all the frickin' hoses shoved under some of our engine bays. But the wiring diagrams and troubleshooting alone are worth the price.
If you're serious about these cars and plan to keep them for a while, it's worth it to build yourself a nice reference library from all of the above. There is no "right" or "wrong" book; collectively these books will expand greatly upon your knowledge.
I have the Chiltons, and it's served me well over the last few years. I'd rather get my hands on an old Ford repair manual, though. Those things are awesome, if you can find them.
I've got both. They are both good but neither is all knowing. The best bet is to buy them both. For instance the chilton tells you the ball joints aren't replaceable, but in the haynes they are and they even show you how to do it. So get them both. Both of them are py in the wire/vac diagrams. The haynes has a troubleshooting section. If I had to choose one I couldn't
I loved the Haynes manual for my Fox Cougars.
The one I now have for my MN12 eats it. Here's an example of what it dictates to the home mechanic:
How to replace the starter motor (4.6):
Note: You must first unplug the battery. Failure to unplug the battery before any type of work will do stuff to other things.
1. Remove old starter motor.
2. Install new starter motor.
3. Check for leaks.
So, yeah. It's about as helpful as a drunk, one-armed monkey.
At least it doesn't say "This procedure is very complicated and is best left to professional mechanics", like Haynes manuals used to be notorious for...
Just to throw in my $0.02.... I, like many here have been in this hobby/business for goin' on 35+ years in one capacity or another.
I've spent (and often wasted) a bunch of $$$ on Haynes and Chilton
manuals. For example, I've got pair of Chilton CD's for one of my Buicks that I've had for a year and have NEVER been able to use despite numerous calls to their tech dept. My plans for them now are to send them to the publisher with a lengthy letter. All they do is load yer 'puter with a bunch of anti copying software and a bunch of registry changes that are horrible !
Back to the manuals. I know that the cost is a lot higher but, you can't beat a FACTORY manual !!! If you go to swap meets or look online via Ebay you can actually find some pretty good deals on new or used ones. I recently bought a pristine, used GM manual for the same Buick for $20.00 us plus shipping (around $5). It's about 2.5" thick and is exclusivly for a '92 Buick Regal. I guarantee you it covers more than the others (chilton/haynes). Pretty much any subsystem you can think of is covered in it. I have the haynes for the same car and it doesn't even come close. You've probably all found misleading or totally incorrect info in the other guys manuals. If you haven't yet, you will some day.
I recently purchased a supercharged '95 Riviera with all the bells and whistles that I plan on keeping for quite awhile. Two volume set of GM manuals, brandy spankin' new, still sealed in factory shrink wrap $75.00 plus shipping from another Ebay source.
I realize it can be hard to part with the bucks but, if you want the best troubleshooting, repair procedures, pics and diagrams for a car you plan on investing a lot of time and money in, it's worth it. It's also a good selling point when you do decide to part with yer baby. It shows the buyer that you really did do your homework on the car and weren't just a hack.
Sorry to slam the other guys so bad, it's just the experience I've had over the years.
Oh, I do have an '84 T-Bird 5.0, AOD that I'm constantly upgrading. It's not pretty right now but, it's my daily driver and was a basket case when I bought it. It is a Rust Free California car. I've changed the sway bars, done a lot of rewiring etc. It just passed smog with the original CFI system. Oh....I don't have a factory manual for this one yet.
Regards,
Chris
I couldn't agree more, the factory books have saved me many times their cost in time and effort alone.