The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Shop Manuals / repair manuals

hello:

I have a 59 and a 65, what are the best shop manuals for do it yourself repairs? does chilton/haynes make manuals for these older vehicles? I have done a search on ebay and see a lot of books titled "shop manuals" am I correct in assuming these are reprints of the original manuals used by the dealers and therefore the most comprehensive?

I see the 59 and 65 shop manuals titled as "supplements" do they even have a stand alone manual for those years or do the supplement manuals refer you to earlier years?

Finally, I see these are expensive. Is there one spot that has better prices than others for these books?

thanks

This is where I got the manual for my 38. It's a reprint of the original.

Try these for a quick look.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/index.htm

Joe

The '59 supplement only covers the few changes from the '58 models. Everything else is in the '58 book.

I don't know about the '65 but if it is labeled supplement I suspect it is the same way.

I like comparing the shop manual to a Motors Truck Manual. Having both references gives me a better idea of what I'm doing. The factory manuals were written by tech writers while the Motors Manuals were written by mechanics. Often the latter will have tips you won't find in the shop manual.

the '65 suppliment is used with the '63 manual. the '63 has 95% of the info. some cab and body changes, self adjust brakes changed in '64, a few other things here and there. the '65 suppliment is pretty thin. if you just get the suppliment you will be pretty dissapointed.

Chevy Truck Manuals - 1960-66

the above article basically reiterates in more detail what hoggyrubber just explained.

-W

x2 on the vintage Motors Manual. I've got a full set of Motors car manuals. The car manuals span 7 years, so the 1957 book would go back to 1950. I make it a habit to have a factory shop manual for every vehicle I own, and many, many MANY times would have been lost without it.
But there is a ton of info in the Motors Manuals that isn't anywhere in the factory shop manuals.
I don't have the Motors Truck manual for my '62, but the truck is pretty basic, so I haven't made it a priority.
Do NOT get a Motors Flat Rate manual--doesn't do the home enthusiast much good.

Finally, be picky when shopping. All of my Motors Manuals are in outstanding shape--no busted spines or covers, no torn or greasy pages. I shopped hard for a couple of years at the swap meets, and didn't pay more than $15 for any single one of them. (I have 8 or 9, spanning 1935-1987)

As said earlier, you will need the Supplement, and the main manual it is used with. (My '62 truck requires the 1960 service manual)

A factory assembly manual is also very helpful. Again I don't have one for my truck, but I do have one for my '57 Chevy wagon, and it's been very helpful in figuring out how things come apart.

-Brad

If they made one for a '52, can someone post a link for the Motors Truck manual. Or tell me where to find one. I'll bet there is on the internet somewhere but where to find it?

Thanks

I like original reprint manuals. Here is where I shop for them;

http://www.gregsonline.com/

As far as I know, Motors Manuals are not being reproduced. I see them regularly at swap meets. They often are offered on auction web sites.

I am currently looking on ebay and found a number of the manuals. However, they seem to be comprehensive, including multiple years and makes.

Yes they are comprehensive, usually covering about 10 years and most brands. Also there are Motors Auto Manuals and Motors Truck Manuals. Obviously you want the truck manual.

cletis,

so when we go to search for a motors truck manual, do we put the year model in there or just look for a chevrolet version or maybe the engine type?

I have not heard of these before, please share more information.

-W

all the motors manuals i have seen cover several years and cover all models. i have a 67 motors manual it covers 59 to 67 if i remember. they are fun to look at but i always go back to my chevy shop manuals. i should prob give the motors man's another look. they almost always sell pretty high at auctions around here, i have never looked on ebay though.

These manuals were designed for independent repair shops. As stated before they cover all makes and models, but maybe it was not clear that they are all covered in one book. My tenth edition covers all American made trucks from 1957-1949. My nineteenth edition covers them all from 1966-1955. I also have a 1954 Motors Truck and Tractor Repair Manual that covers trucks and farm tractors from 1954-1946.

So to answer your question, just search for a Motors Truck Repair Manual, then look in the results for one covering your year model in it's range.

hoggyrubber and cletis,

thanks for the extra information, that clears it up.

I will have to keep an eye out for those.

-W

I found this thread while searching for another thread. I found one of those Motor Truck Repair Manuals online somewhere.

Below is the information about the one I have.

I am adding this information here in case someone wanders into this thread into the future and finds it useful to them.

-W



Motor Truck Repair manual, 29th Edition. This manual covers mechanical specifications and Service Procedures on 1962-1976 model trucks of all makes. I purchased a used manual through an online auction site. You can locate these books in used book stores, in person at automotive swap meets, in the for sale sections of online truck forum sites or on used book store searching sites.

These manuals were written for the independent repair shops to use. These days the shops have online computer service manuals of every vehicle known to man at their finger tips. Back then though, they had these printed manuals which are broken down by make and the component parts; transmissions, alternators, engines, etc..

There are other Editions which cover different year models, so look around to find the right one for your application. The different editions are handy to have around in case you are swapping things in and out from different year models.



Front cover:


Motor

Truck Repair Manual

pickups * motor homes

campers * utility trucks

vans * school buses

delivery trucks

dump trucks * tractors

long haulers



on the binding:

29th edition



other information:

ISBN: 0-910992-47-9


This edition covers mechanical specifications and Service Procedures on 1962-1976 models