shop manual?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
shop manual?
Hi all,
I think that (knock wood) the truck is finally fixed with respect to the cooling system puking... all it took was three hose clamps, some zip ties, and swapping two hoses. I'll find out this weekend, I have to move another truckload of old car parts.
So to cut down on the number of newless cluebie questions, I figger I ought to buy a shop manual. I've already got the Haynes, I feel like I should have just stayed home and lit a $20 bill on fire, I would have saved the gas money anyway. it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, basically all it's good for is torque specs and wiring diagrams. I went over to Helm's web site, I see they have a "shop manual" for $90, but also "wiring diagrams," ($12) "electrical and vacuum troubleshooting," ($30) and finally "powertrain control/emissions diagnosis" ($320!!!!!)
are the two inexpensive ones included in the overall shop manual? Is the $320 book really worth it or is it unnecessary for an owner/shadetree wrench?
thanks
nate
I think that (knock wood) the truck is finally fixed with respect to the cooling system puking... all it took was three hose clamps, some zip ties, and swapping two hoses. I'll find out this weekend, I have to move another truckload of old car parts.
So to cut down on the number of newless cluebie questions, I figger I ought to buy a shop manual. I've already got the Haynes, I feel like I should have just stayed home and lit a $20 bill on fire, I would have saved the gas money anyway. it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, basically all it's good for is torque specs and wiring diagrams. I went over to Helm's web site, I see they have a "shop manual" for $90, but also "wiring diagrams," ($12) "electrical and vacuum troubleshooting," ($30) and finally "powertrain control/emissions diagnosis" ($320!!!!!)
are the two inexpensive ones included in the overall shop manual? Is the $320 book really worth it or is it unnecessary for an owner/shadetree wrench?
thanks
nate
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 3
From: Nebraska
Check ebay. There's always manuals on there, and if you're patient, your exact year will show up. They aren't going to go for nothing, especially if they're in demand, but you should be able to do a lot better than Helm's.
They are definately worth getting. Everything is described in much better detail straight from Ford. I never use the cheap manuals for anything anymore (I've found even torque specs wrong more than once in them).
They are definately worth getting. Everything is described in much better detail straight from Ford. I never use the cheap manuals for anything anymore (I've found even torque specs wrong more than once in them).
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
I got a Ford dealer repair manual set for $40 buck on ebay and it came with the cdrom software for PC.
But it does not like the wide screen monitor. But yes I have all the book store /autoparts manuals and they all suck. Just give basic.
I have never had to use electrical part in general truck repairs ( I did in MAF swap) but if have funds get one you can help on here.
GOOD LUCK
But it does not like the wide screen monitor. But yes I have all the book store /autoparts manuals and they all suck. Just give basic.
I have never had to use electrical part in general truck repairs ( I did in MAF swap) but if have funds get one you can help on here.
GOOD LUCK
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
I use all of them and each one is very good depending on the situation.
The Shop Manuals are good for R&R and torque settings but not to good for trouble shooting.
The "electrical and vacuum troubleshooting" is good for at a glance electrical wiring diagrams for each system but some stuff is left out.
The "wiring diagrams" are a little harder to read but cover in detail the electrical system.
The "powertrain control/emissions diagnosis" is the only one to use for deep trouble shooting but again it is a little hard to use and it assumes that you have some special equipment like a break-out box and so on.
I use the "electrical and vacuum troubleshooting" & the "powertrain control/emissions diagnosis" most of the time and the other two if I have a particular question.
The Shop Manuals are good for R&R and torque settings but not to good for trouble shooting.
The "electrical and vacuum troubleshooting" is good for at a glance electrical wiring diagrams for each system but some stuff is left out.
The "wiring diagrams" are a little harder to read but cover in detail the electrical system.
The "powertrain control/emissions diagnosis" is the only one to use for deep trouble shooting but again it is a little hard to use and it assumes that you have some special equipment like a break-out box and so on.
I use the "electrical and vacuum troubleshooting" & the "powertrain control/emissions diagnosis" most of the time and the other two if I have a particular question.
Last edited by subford; Jul 4, 2007 at 07:39 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
This post pushed me to break down and get a Factory manual. It was $110
Not cheap, but a 2 book Factory Ford set totaling 4in thick.
You might check with this Ebay outfit.
http://stores.ebay.com/Roth-Auto-Books
By the way I did a Ebay serch and the one for mine did NOT show up, but going thru every page in the link above I found the one for mine. ['94 F-150]
Not cheap, but a 2 book Factory Ford set totaling 4in thick.
You might check with this Ebay outfit.
http://stores.ebay.com/Roth-Auto-Books
By the way I did a Ebay serch and the one for mine did NOT show up, but going thru every page in the link above I found the one for mine. ['94 F-150]
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by netscaner
What's a break-out box ???
Here is two images the link below has a photo.
A link to a Photo of a breakout box (click on me)
Last edited by subford; Jul 4, 2007 at 10:32 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
