Well if your talking about general manuals, id says Haynes..ex (how to rebuild your smallblock chevy). The car books arnt bad either, on the cars i cant really say for sure....pretty close.
Well, I use them both. I have often found info in one that wasn't in the other (yes, I have one of each for some vehicles). Fortunately, they are inexpensive (certainly compared to the other things we buy for cars) and you can never have too much info.
If you have access to a library, check out there auto reference section and it might help you decide which you prefer. I have used the large Chilton's books for info and just copied the sections I needed, the library usually has a copy machine so it's easy and inexpensive. I haven't tried to look up 37 chevy, but you should be able to find info on the 60's or later cars.
If I had to pick it would be Chilton, but I use both.
Chilton has more on computer codes and wiring than
Haynes.Haynes has good trouble shooting pages.
I did´nt use either for my engine build, I used a specific
"Workbench book" on small block Chevy.For the carb I use
Doug Roe´s Rochester carbs.
Can´t have too many books.
stony....You should also try to get the GM factory manual for your car. They are generally expensive, but seem to have more stuff in them. At least the older (60s) ones did. The one for my Pontiac even showed me how to put on a new convertible top.
poncho makes and excelent point, the GM service manual is great. I use the chiltons when I can get them, more year specific. The Haynes is too general, tries to cover to may years like say 88-93 to many years to many differences in vehicles. I get the chassis manuals specific to your car they are good reference too. You get what you pay for.
a friend of mine uses a camera to take a record of the steps
pulling most things apart it has helped him many times especially when he must leave it and come back to it later
his other trick was to leave the tools he was using right beside the job this way he lost no time upon his return
a friend of mine uses a camera to take a record of the steps
pulling most things apart it has helped him many times especially when he must leave it and come back to it later
his other trick was to leave the tools he was using right beside the job this way he lost no time upon his return
I spend a good deal of time looking for tools.I tend to walk away from the job with a tool in hand,put it down and do something else.Then go back to the car and wind up retracing my steps.
I ought to book mark pages in manuals as I never refind info easily. 53 and shot!:smash:
I have the same problem as malc, I spend 3/4 of my time looking for the tool I need. Also as I am just starting out there are lots of times I don't even have the tool I need.:drunk:
For every car I have owned, and some I work on regularly-
I own both the Chiltons AND Haynes, because what one doesn't cover the other does (for the most part), and Haynes for Rochester carbs.
I also use the Clymer manuals for motorcycles, what little I do on them.
When I get rid of the vehicle the books cover, the manuals stay here with me.
I have a couple I can't remember where they went so I might have to re-invest in them.
I hate Haynes and Peterson manuals with a passion. I especially hate the part where I'm getting somewhere and it says something to the effect of " Further repairs or troubleshooting is best left to a qualified technician". And those "typical" wiring diagrams....give me a break. Can we say "Component locater"?
Do yourself a favor and spend a few bucks and get a real manual like the manufacturers or the big Chilton's. Or better yet, use the Mitchell manuals from the library, cause you surely don't wanna fork out the cash for a Mitchell anything. ain:
The first shop I worked in had an extensive library of Chilton on the shelf and I have always used these brand of books but some guys have made valid points it is always good to cross reference with the other books as well.
I was gonna make a thread about this, but here is this one.
I always thought Haynes were worthless, they make terrible TP.
Chilton is pretty good, but not as good as they were.
I wish there was a cheap way to get good info.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Hot Rod Forum
2.2M posts
175.7K members
Since 2001
A forum community dedicated to hot rod owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about restoration, builds, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!