Topic: C3 books
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Just want to give my 2 cents about C3 books.
It is most likely obvious for most of the people here, but for
newbies like me, that could be usefull;
Chilton rules!
When I bough the car last year (30 years old car for my 30th bday as a gift from me to myself
), it was the first time for me opening the hood of a car (any car).
), it was the first time for me opening the hood of a car (any car).I still struggle identifying parts/problems, but this is where this site as well as the books comes handy. I will never pretend to be a mechanic and I know my limits. I know what I will do/try and what I will leave to professionals. It is very satisfying to get something done yourself while learning and also preserving this heritage <insert wave smiley here>.
The service & overhaul books came with the car. I then bought the Haynes book at a local part store (they only carry Haynes).
The Haynes book is not bad in itself, but I got my hands on the Chilton one this week and WOW, this is the one to get if you have a limited budget and have to choose (in my opinion).
It is much closer to the service manual (I believe they used the same drawings for most of it).
From my first impression, it is better formatted and geared towards the DIY guys like me, especially the tune-up section.
I would not say the you only need one book, but the Chilton one should be in your library.
I would also recommend a restoration guide. There are many to choose from. This is not a DIY guide; it help you identify the correctness of your car if you want to get certified.
Getting certify is not what I want to do, but it is a really good reference when you try to find out what REALLY should be there ... or not.
My 2 cents for newbies like me, get at least the followings :
-original service manual for you year/model
-overhaul manual (you probably wont need it, but good reading to appreciate the engineering work that went into our cars)
-the Chilton service manual
-the Haynes service manual
-a restoration guide
AND
if you are not going the certification way and will need a lot of parts, get an inter-exchange parts manual.
(And no, I am not affiliated to any book company
).
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Good advice,And heres 1 more if you are going to overhaul your Quadrajet,get the ROCHESTER QUADRAJET book by Doug Roe put out by HP Books,a lot of good info,and pictures,best I've seen
C3VR Lifetime Member #93
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
An absolute MUST for any Corvette owner is the factory service/o-haul manuals. While some of them command mucho $$$ these days, you can still find reasonably priced ones at swap meets and such. I believe that the Chilton manuals are a good source of info on the basic systems, but they don't always get into the fine details. There are some CD based manuals out there, also, that are run on the Mitchell Auto Repair manuals, and I think they are the best, but the complete system is extremely expensive!. My system at the shop runs about $100 per month, for 3 yrs. 
I did find a Mitchell-based CD for my Mercedes on ebay for $ 9. That's right...$ 9.00!!!! Everything you could possibly need to work on any system on the vehicle, with photos, diagrams, specs, etc.
And, just in case you missed it, there is a complete '68-'82 Corvette parts book on CD available. It has every part, and part # for our 'Vettes. It is a copy of the original factory microfiche. If anyone needs one of those, I can burn a copy for you.
I did find a Mitchell-based CD for my Mercedes on ebay for $ 9. That's right...$ 9.00!!!! Everything you could possibly need to work on any system on the vehicle, with photos, diagrams, specs, etc.
And, just in case you missed it, there is a complete '68-'82 Corvette parts book on CD available. It has every part, and part # for our 'Vettes. It is a copy of the original factory microfiche. If anyone needs one of those, I can burn a copy for you.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
yeah, i like the chilton book too. ive found that the haynes manual
gives just enough info to get you in trouble! the assembly manual is a
good companion to any of the repair books too.
if a little knowlege is a dangerous thing, them im the worlds most dangerous man!!!
if a little knowlege is a dangerous thing, them im the worlds most dangerous man!!!
Another good source is the Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM for short) for your model year. While they can be a little cryptic to figure out, the bulk of the drawings are good as well as having the correct part numbers.
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18595
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
For those that would like links to the books mentioned, here they are:
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
Here's one to avoid... frequently plastered on ebay.
"Corvette 1966-82 Shop Manual, covers all small block
and big block Chevrolet Corvettes"
It is actually more like a 66 to 79 manual, with a few
random extra pages at the end which are supposed to
be a supplement for 80-82 corvettes, but is very very
limited. Like useless.
I paid $$$$ to ship one here to New Zealand for my '81,
and was very unhappy with this piece of junk. Have since
wizened up and gone for the Assembly Manual + GM Workshop manual (second hand) + Haynes. Will keep an
eye out for a Chilton now though, as you can never have
too much good info wen you're sorting out a problem !
P.S.
FOR SALE... One brand spanking new Corvette 1966-82
Shop Manual, as new, opened once. Please oh please
contact me !!! :-)
"Corvette 1966-82 Shop Manual, covers all small block
and big block Chevrolet Corvettes"
It is actually more like a 66 to 79 manual, with a few
random extra pages at the end which are supposed to
be a supplement for 80-82 corvettes, but is very very
limited. Like useless.
I paid $$$$ to ship one here to New Zealand for my '81,
and was very unhappy with this piece of junk. Have since
wizened up and gone for the Assembly Manual + GM Workshop manual (second hand) + Haynes. Will keep an
eye out for a Chilton now though, as you can never have
too much good info wen you're sorting out a problem !
P.S.
FOR SALE... One brand spanking new Corvette 1966-82
Shop Manual, as new, opened once. Please oh please
contact me !!! :-)
Kiwi Chris
Not sure, but I think the Service manual is the same as the repair manual. Only that the service manual is older and the Repair would be a reprint (maybe with corrections ?!?).
I actually bought 2 service manual; one that I keep at home and the other one that I keep in the garage (10 miles from from house).
The one that Adam posted a link to, is the one I bought (twice).
Paid 15.50 on ebay with shipping. I don't know if Amazon charges shipping separately.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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