Our need for a second vehicle aligned with the availability of a 1988 Ford 7.3l, type III ambulance, so I got a new toy. (Just posted some pictures of the beast in my Garage.)

Been reading a great deal, familiarizing myself with diesels, and this ilk of diesel specifically, and as I see the various options available, I wanted to ask how much reference is necessary/desired?

I see on Ebay how there are Chilton, and Hayes manuals, and anywhere from 1 to 5 official Ford shop manuals available in a lot, but uncertain that I need all that. Granted I would much prefer too much information to not enough, but the people selling the Ford manuals/CD's are not quite giving them away, so I wanted to ask for opinions before I planed to spend the considerable money on the manual(s).

Also, any active forums here/elsewhere for people who've taken on an ambulance? I'd very much appreciate being pointed in that direction, if you'd be so kind.

Thanks much,

Ray~

 

FTE is all you need.

 

X2


6.9/7.3 IDI Diesel New Owner FAQ

 

FTE is great, but I got the Ford Econoline CD and Diesel supplemental CD. While FTE is awesome for getting a diagnosis or second opinion, there is nothing better than CTRL+F in that Official Ford CD PDF and skipping right to the section you want, then seeing an expertly drawn diagram or image of the fuel system or electrical system or air conditioning system or whatever you are looking for.

Don't bother with the other Haynes or Chilton manuals. The Official Ford CD is easily the way to go. And you can copy the PDF to your phone or tablet, then take it to the garage or on the road with you. I used the PDF all the time on my android phone when I'm on a road trip.

 

I appreciate the enthusiasm for FTE, and I have gotten a great wealth of info here previously, and currently, as I've become more understanding of what I recently purchased, but Genscripter hit it on the head so far as the ability to search the PDF (Command F for me) and the diagrams... the decadence and comfort of having the hard diagrams to pour over... Yummy! And I can print it as well (some of it), as my eye's still prefer to work from paper, when they can.

Is Ebay the source, or is there another for the PDF's I'm looking for, both for the base van and diesel?

Thanks much to all! Much appreciated!