Get a manual
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Get a manual
I think 50% of the questions asked on this and the Bonus Built board could be found in a shop manual. It's a small investment that would save hours waiting for an answer to a question posted. I don't know how anyone can expect to work on one of these old trucks and not have the manual. Like I said, it's a cheap investment and you can get them almost anywhere, this site being the number one place to look. Not only will you get an invalueable piece of reference but you would also suppost the site.
Before anyone comes after me for having an attitude let me say I am sure I have asked questions here that could have been found in the manual so I know I'm not perfect but I do have a manual, in fact two, one I keep clean in the house and one I have in the shop that is dirty and has ripped pages.
I also enjoy the exchange of questions and ideas tossed back and forth on this board and I try to help when I can so I don't want to keep people from asking questions. I just want to encourage everyone to get a shop manual, if you still want to post your questions I am sure you can tell eveyone here likes to participate. I check in every day just to read the new posts and see if I can offer a suggestion and, most important, learn something new about these old rust buckets.
"Old trucks, it's a disease - one I hope they never find a cure for"
Before anyone comes after me for having an attitude let me say I am sure I have asked questions here that could have been found in the manual so I know I'm not perfect but I do have a manual, in fact two, one I keep clean in the house and one I have in the shop that is dirty and has ripped pages.
I also enjoy the exchange of questions and ideas tossed back and forth on this board and I try to help when I can so I don't want to keep people from asking questions. I just want to encourage everyone to get a shop manual, if you still want to post your questions I am sure you can tell eveyone here likes to participate. I check in every day just to read the new posts and see if I can offer a suggestion and, most important, learn something new about these old rust buckets.
"Old trucks, it's a disease - one I hope they never find a cure for"
Last edited by Earl; Oct 31, 2005 at 03:29 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
The manual is great and I have one for my truck as well but many, many items are not included in the manual.
Example: This weekend, I finished stripping the cab on my 1950 F1. The last thing to come out was the fresh air damper in from of the windshield. The Ford manual makes no mention of this item that I could find. There were a few others I was not able to find in the manual when I was pulling the truck apart, this is just a single example.
One other pertained to removing the door lock on the pasenger door. The manual showed the acess hole you needed to locate in order to remove it but did not adequatley describe what was inside that hole and how to get it out. I posted here and within an hour or two (may have been much less), someone posted the exact information that I needed.
On the other hand, there is a bunch of good information in these old manuals that I don't think that you would find include in the manuals for muchy newere vehicles. They are great to have.
I think you are correct to a degree but both have their place.
Example: This weekend, I finished stripping the cab on my 1950 F1. The last thing to come out was the fresh air damper in from of the windshield. The Ford manual makes no mention of this item that I could find. There were a few others I was not able to find in the manual when I was pulling the truck apart, this is just a single example.
One other pertained to removing the door lock on the pasenger door. The manual showed the acess hole you needed to locate in order to remove it but did not adequatley describe what was inside that hole and how to get it out. I posted here and within an hour or two (may have been much less), someone posted the exact information that I needed.
On the other hand, there is a bunch of good information in these old manuals that I don't think that you would find include in the manuals for muchy newere vehicles. They are great to have.
I think you are correct to a degree but both have their place.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I agree with you both, your problems fall in the 50% that fall in area that the manual doesn't address. In fact I was the one who posted the picture of the lock set screw. I like being able to help out when I can. I just can't see being able to even start to work on a truck without the manual. I don't feel comfortable calling it a "bible", so I won't, but when it comes to working on these truck truck it is the first place to look for an answer.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
Bob, manuals are an excellent step by step guide to accomplish a given task. The are NOT so good on general information, or even in deciding a task really needs done at this time.
I have never read one that stated, "In your case, Mr. *****, it may be better if you just find a used unit to replace this bad one, and leave the mechanics to those with more experience."
The manual is one source of information, this forum is another. The type of information they offer is different. This is particularly true if you are a novice, as are most of those who ask the easy questions.
In truth, I learn a lot from the discussions - and enjoy other members ideas even when I do not agree with them. I am retired and have this site up all day - I check it whenever I take a break from whatever I am doing.
I agree a manual is very helpful, but please ask any question you may have - it gives us all something to talk about, and others beside yourself may learn something new.
I have never read one that stated, "In your case, Mr. *****, it may be better if you just find a used unit to replace this bad one, and leave the mechanics to those with more experience."
The manual is one source of information, this forum is another. The type of information they offer is different. This is particularly true if you are a novice, as are most of those who ask the easy questions.
In truth, I learn a lot from the discussions - and enjoy other members ideas even when I do not agree with them. I am retired and have this site up all day - I check it whenever I take a break from whatever I am doing.
I agree a manual is very helpful, but please ask any question you may have - it gives us all something to talk about, and others beside yourself may learn something new.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
Originally Posted by texan2004
*****, how is it that you can post 15 minutes into the future??
Actually, I think we all posted about the same time, and without reading the other posts.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
*****,
I read both yours and Carl's post and got sandwich inbetween the two, wierd.
I hope you guys, and anyone else, don't think I am running anyone down. I am not doing that. This is just another piece of advice I would like to offer.
I check this site every chance I get and have been educated on a lot of things, some not totally truck related. I have been on this board almost from the beginning and have made friends with a lot of people here. I enjoy when there is a question raised and the multitude of solutions offered, even the obvious ones. I love to talk trucks and do so whenever I get a chance. Just ask my wife, Dmptrkr and John48.
I read both yours and Carl's post and got sandwich inbetween the two, wierd.
I hope you guys, and anyone else, don't think I am running anyone down. I am not doing that. This is just another piece of advice I would like to offer.
I check this site every chance I get and have been educated on a lot of things, some not totally truck related. I have been on this board almost from the beginning and have made friends with a lot of people here. I enjoy when there is a question raised and the multitude of solutions offered, even the obvious ones. I love to talk trucks and do so whenever I get a chance. Just ask my wife, Dmptrkr and John48.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Originally Posted by bobj49f2
*****,
I hope you guys, and anyone else, don't think I am running anyone down. I am not doing that. This is just another piece of advice I would like to offer.
I hope you guys, and anyone else, don't think I am running anyone down. I am not doing that. This is just another piece of advice I would like to offer.
OK, I actually thought that you may have just taken a sales job with Motorhaven and were trying to sell some books.
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From: La Verne, California
A Truck Shop Manual (basic intel & how to's), a Truck Parts & Accessories Catatlog (parts #'s listed & exploded views to peruse) for ones year of truck are Neccessities for doing work on it. 
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