Thinking about a tech manual
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
Thinking about a tech manual
I write tech manuals for a living, so writing is nothing new to me. I'm seriously considering writing a tech manual for Powerstrokes that covers information you wouldn't find in a factory service manual, or even if it is in a factory service manual, it could cover information that summarizes tricks of the trade and tips for making the job go smoother. Some of the help web sites I've found have great write ups but aren't very well written. Anyone interested in contributing various anecdotes or write-ups to populate it?
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 1
From: Billerica, MA
that sounds like an awsome idea to me. I haven't done any write-ups to be able to contribute to this venture, but you might want to send RubberDuck a PM because he has written quite a few good ones. And im not sure if you know about it but Steve Baz has a website up that has a bunch of very useful information that you might want to read over. Maybe contact him and see if you could use some of his information.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
I think I'll start working on it then. It'll take a while, writing manuals is more complicated (and challenging) than most people believe it to be. I'll start doing some research and collect information posted by others. You might even see your own contribution. Review comments will be welcome (a fact of life in my trade).
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 17
From: Gambrills
Was that photoshopped?
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Hi Matt,
I also write, having been the tech editor for one of the RV magazines for several years and also writing and editing behind the scenes for members of the RV industry. I currently write for RV Technician.
I had a similar idea, but don't have the time. I do, however, think your concept has merit and yes, writing takes a great deal more time than most folks realize. The research can be maddening and getting cooperation from manufacturers, even when they are supporting the piece with advertising can be frustrating. I won't even go into their push to edit the piece once it is done!
I was a bit concerned about copyright issues given, as I understand it, the things out there fall under copyright protection, even though they likely have not been formally copyrighted.
I am on the look out for items here that might interest RV technicians given a great many folks on this site tow.
Best of luck with your project,
Steve
I also write, having been the tech editor for one of the RV magazines for several years and also writing and editing behind the scenes for members of the RV industry. I currently write for RV Technician.
I had a similar idea, but don't have the time. I do, however, think your concept has merit and yes, writing takes a great deal more time than most folks realize. The research can be maddening and getting cooperation from manufacturers, even when they are supporting the piece with advertising can be frustrating. I won't even go into their push to edit the piece once it is done!
I was a bit concerned about copyright issues given, as I understand it, the things out there fall under copyright protection, even though they likely have not been formally copyrighted.
I am on the look out for items here that might interest RV technicians given a great many folks on this site tow.
Best of luck with your project,
Steve
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Sounds Good
That sounds like a excellent idea. I have been making a Tricks & Gimmicks Manual for almost a year now. I have not really organized it or anything, but there is some excellent information in it as well as a few good links. I will post some.
Dont know what the difference is on the injectors here but it gave me some good info
TikiWiki : H.E.U.I Injector Disassembly and Assembly
Dana 60:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/60_front/
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/home.html
http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/949...an/stjmain.htm
LOTS of links:
http://www.springerpop.net/F350/Mods.aspx.htm
BAZ's PAGES. Home Page
This is for a 2004 but I have used it as a refrence/general guide
2004 F250
Diesel Innovations
Diesel Foam Stop (not our model but applicable
Powerstroke Fuel Tank Modification
IPR
New Page 0
Diesel Technician Society
the whole set of 4 pictures from trucks photos on webshots
Parts
Your Premiere Source for Ford Truck Parts and Accessories
PTplace.com
us
http://<br /> https://www.ford-truc...ml#post7780556
Hard to start
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/855092-bad-cps-or.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/744940-cps-problems.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/587263-shuts-off-at-idle-and-while-driving.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/574337-1995-7-3-f-350-diesel-dies-at-idle-or-under-load.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/571573-motor-dies.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/569022-starts-in-cold-ok-then-dies-minutes-later.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/552047-replaced-cps-truck-still-dies.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/529997-94-turbo-diesel-dies-on-deccel-and-sputters-on-accel.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/519862-truck-died-this-morning.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/513399-surges-and-dies.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/483146-truck-cutting-out-while-driving.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/439005-motor-cuts-out-by-itself.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/441817-running-then-dies-but-starts-back-up.html?highlight=truck+dies
I have more and other written detials for troubleshooting and the like.
If you started a website with a place where we could post in a index listing area then you could work through the index and help develop the manual. (Just a thought)
Dont know what the difference is on the injectors here but it gave me some good info
TikiWiki : H.E.U.I Injector Disassembly and Assembly
Dana 60:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/60_front/
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/home.html
http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/949...an/stjmain.htm
LOTS of links:
http://www.springerpop.net/F350/Mods.aspx.htm
BAZ's PAGES. Home Page
This is for a 2004 but I have used it as a refrence/general guide
2004 F250
Diesel Innovations
Diesel Foam Stop (not our model but applicable
Powerstroke Fuel Tank Modification
IPR
New Page 0
Diesel Technician Society
the whole set of 4 pictures from trucks photos on webshots
Parts
Your Premiere Source for Ford Truck Parts and Accessories
PTplace.com
us
http://<br /> https://www.ford-truc...ml#post7780556
Hard to start
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/855092-bad-cps-or.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/744940-cps-problems.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/587263-shuts-off-at-idle-and-while-driving.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/574337-1995-7-3-f-350-diesel-dies-at-idle-or-under-load.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/571573-motor-dies.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/569022-starts-in-cold-ok-then-dies-minutes-later.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/552047-replaced-cps-truck-still-dies.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/529997-94-turbo-diesel-dies-on-deccel-and-sputters-on-accel.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/519862-truck-died-this-morning.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/513399-surges-and-dies.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/483146-truck-cutting-out-while-driving.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/439005-motor-cuts-out-by-itself.html?highlight=truck+dies
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/441817-running-then-dies-but-starts-back-up.html?highlight=truck+dies
I have more and other written detials for troubleshooting and the like.
If you started a website with a place where we could post in a index listing area then you could work through the index and help develop the manual. (Just a thought)
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
True, I do have to be cautious about copyright issues. Since my writing is all military hardware, I don't have to concern myself with that and I'm not used to thinking about it. However, I think I could compile a great deal of information provided by private owners who have shared their experiences, and simply reference service manuals when needed. I have a factory service manual (paper) for the 1995 Power Stroke that I can refer to. Others who have different manuals could provide references during a review process.
I didn't plan on charging for it, although donations would happily be accepted once the project is done. I don't want anything before the book is complete since life issues can always rear their ugly heads and put a stop to just about anything, and I wouldn't want to have to deal with sending money back to anyone, or have anyone wondering if they've been flim-flammed.
DRR, thanks for the links, this is exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. I do have a web site where I can create a forum that will allow contributors to post links or information. I'll post a URL to this thread when I have that up and running. It might even be this weekend. I do searches for different topics, but often my results end up being threads where someone is asking the question. It can be very frustrating. Having these links as a starting point is very helpful.
I didn't plan on charging for it, although donations would happily be accepted once the project is done. I don't want anything before the book is complete since life issues can always rear their ugly heads and put a stop to just about anything, and I wouldn't want to have to deal with sending money back to anyone, or have anyone wondering if they've been flim-flammed.
DRR, thanks for the links, this is exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. I do have a web site where I can create a forum that will allow contributors to post links or information. I'll post a URL to this thread when I have that up and running. It might even be this weekend. I do searches for different topics, but often my results end up being threads where someone is asking the question. It can be very frustrating. Having these links as a starting point is very helpful.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Will I get any royalties? If so here you go........https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post6342137
FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
Till I know it isnt photoshopped, but in reallity I dont know, I found it some place in the web, but I agree with Matts with his observations.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
Well, unlike most other projects I have on which I procrastinate for years on end, I'm actually making some pretty good progress on this tech manual. Right now I'm just doing descriptions of various components on the engine and importing pictures. I have yet to get into the chapter where you can do fault isolation and look up tips for different things. Hopefully I'll continue making good progress and be able to have a good amount of content by this summer.