ford manuals:where? who? how much?

[1313]

hi i was wondering where to get the manuals ppl are always referring to. i have the somewhat helpful chilton, & the useless haynes. i have a 68 coup. am i looking for a year & model specific? or a "ford 65-69" type of book? bout how muchshould i expect to pay? are the cdrom any good? i had 2 cdroms for my s10s & they were helpful but a major pain to install 4 sum reason. reputable dealer? i see alot of em online, jus dont know which is best. 22gt is always referring to it so i think it mite b a good investment. thanx.

[Jays66gt]

I've never tried the cd version but I do LOVE my Shop Manual. Try eBay. I do see them from time to time there. Amazon might be a source too.

I found my 1965 Shop Manual at my local library's swap meet. Yup. It cost me a whole $1.25 and a Dr. Suess book. I'd prefer to have a 1966 Manual since that's what I have, but beggars cannot be choosers.

[22GT]

The Ford Shop Manual is a must for working on these cars. The aftermarket books such as Haynes and Chilton are pretty skimpy by comparison. While the year-specific Ford book goes into painful detail for each repair, the thin multi-year books tend to simplify too much. Remove heater. Fix heater. Install heater.

I prefer the print book, I use a pants hanger with two clips to hold it open to the proper page. The CD version requires you to either have a computer in the garage (I worry about dirt on it, though) or you can print out the pages you need and crawl under the car with them.

[Jays66gt]

Here is one for a '67. Might work for you:

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Or this one for a '68:

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

[rdlagray]

You can get the reproduction of the original shop manuals at any Mustang vendor. You can also get the Factory Assembly manuals by Jim Osborn I thnk there a total of 5 of those. These are the books you see referred to on here. You can also fine them on eBay. Just make sure you are buying the right think.
To slow posting

[sixtysevenGTconv]

Gets books same place you buy most of your mustang parts, vendors.
LITERATURE

[JonK]

I like the shop manual as posted by 22GT for the same reason, I can have it in the garage. I write all my replacement part #'s, date replaced/ mileage, or upgrades so that I or anyone else who may get the car (don't plan to sell) will have a single source for all info. on the car. I also have a 3 ring binder for spec sheets on any companies parts I installed (for example -Weiand intake Part#, RPM range, AOD, etc.).
Jon
Jon

[aslan]

Highly suggest that you use AddALL book search and price comparison for finding books. Great clearing house for books.
Stan

[buckeyedemon]

i prefer the factory assembly manuals (osborne as mentioned). i haven't found that much value in the Ford shop manuals.

[22GT]

Really? For functional repairs and specifications, rebuilding brakes, engine, transmission, the assembly manuals are useless. Great for reassembling a project car, but for diagnosing transmissions, or adjusting distributors, you have to have the Manual.

[buckeyedemon]

Originally Posted by 22GT

Really? For functional repairs and specifications, rebuilding brakes, engine, transmission, the assembly manuals are useless. Great for reassembling a project car, but for diagnosing transmissions, or adjusting distributors, you have to have the Manual.

my engine isn't stock like yours and was rebuilt by a professional shop so they know what they want for bearing clearances or machining tolerances. For torque, ARP publishes that data (along with bolt stretch). Easy to find.

i have a stick with a non original gear ratio so i don't need to know shift speeds.

i'm good enough with math that i was able to calculate expected engine rpm's given my new axle ratios, transmission ratios, and tire diameters.

my steering box was rebuilt by borgeson. it's a manual and i can turn the box to determine how many turns it is.

most of that type of information is easily found by doing an internet search (or searching the various forums (for stock or modified). you've probably posted stock distrubutor specs 100 times.

pictures on how to reassemble a car, what fastener goes where, what type of fastener, what the part number should be isn't easily found on the web (yet).

I've probably spent an hour or so of my time with the factory shop manuals.