1986 manuals

[vetteboy86]

Ok guys I am thinking about getting some manuls for my corvette. I have a haynes maual which sucks, so I want to buy a shop/service manual. Is the shop or service manual the same. I have found one for the 86 that says shop manual, however my bro found one for his 87 that says service manual, so what is the difference?. The 86 manual is red, the 87 manual is white, and also has an electrical diagnosis supplement. Does the 86 have this supplement?

thanks

Craig

 

[Ken]

Check the Helm site for what's available.

 

[vetteboy86]

I was originally going to go that route, but I found a manual cheaper. Helm calls it a shop manual, however I couldnt find any pics of it. They also said there is a shop manual supplement, but didn't offer any description. It also says that the 87 is a shop manual. How do i distinguish if the manual i buy is the right one?

Thanks

Craig

 

[Ken]

Put it this way, I bought mine through Helm. It's the white cover, so it's not the shop version (red cover), but the contents are almost exactly the same.

Another shop manual from Helm that we don't seem to have access to, is the blue cover version, and that even has tabs, but the contents are the same as both of the aforementioned volumes.

 

[vetteboy86]

Ken that is good to here. The one through Helm says that since it is a reprint it may come in loose leaf format. Also that this is a copy of the orginal, and may not have the elecrical schematics. I think for 40 bucks I might just go ahead and buy the one I have a lead on. If i decide to go another route I will buy through Helm.

Craig

 

[vetteboy86]

Oh forgot to ask, I have one more question for you Ken. Since you bought it through Helminc.com did you get the supplement booklet? If so, what kind of goodies are in it, that I might be missing out on?


Thanks
Craig

 

[c4cruiser]

When you buy a service (shop) manual from Helm, you should get any supplements that were published by them. I have manuals for my 87 and 92 and both have supplemental books which primarily deal with electrical and emissions and driveability. All of the books are titled "Corvette Service Manual".

As far as color, the white cover books are a preliminary version and the red cover books are the final copy that will have any necessary corrections, updates, or edits from the white book.

 

[jmccloud]

Manuals

Often the white manual is the preliminary single volume issue and supplements bring it up to the full version. Later the full version would come out as two volumes with a red cover.

My '95 manuals are red and labelled 'service manual book 1, includes all except driveability and emisions and electrical' and the other is the same but 'includes' is substituted for 'except'.

Don't know when Helm switched over but I have a '66 manual that is blue, gold and white, two volume. All Chevy models are included in the one set of two volumes. One volume is labelled 'chassis service manual' and the other 'chassis overhaul manual'. I think there was a body manual but never bought it.

Shop manual is probably just a convenient speaking term for service manual.

Stay with the Helms, I've ruined a few expensive parts following bad instructions in some of the other manuals.

 

[First C4]

I bought mine off ebay, it is the GM service manual for my 86'. I have the electrical suppliment included in the rear of the book. I think it is something like 12 pages of wiring from front to rear. I got my book for $55. I am currently searching for a parts book that contains all the GM part numbers for about every part(originally on microfiche)

 

[vetteboy86]

First C4,

I too purchases mine from ebay. I paid 40 bucks and the book is in good condition with no missing pages. The cover has a small tear, but other then that it is great.

The fun part is reading the book and finding out neat stuff

Craig

 

[Magmotor]

Here's an '86 Shop/Service Manual (red) w/elect supp: 5 days left on E-bay: $45


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34215&item=7945070157&rd=1

 

[Moonunit 451]

I bought mine off ebay, it is the GM service manual for my 86'. I have the electrical suppliment included in the rear of the book. I think it is something like 12 pages of wiring from front to rear. I got my book for $55. I am currently searching for a parts book that contains all the GM part numbers for about every part(originally on microfiche)

You can usually find the parts manual, and even the service manuals on Ebay on CD. there is a member here that I know has copied, "scanned" the 86 manual and also has the parts book on CD's.

I know cause he was kind enough to send it to me You might try to contact him. I think he has them available for a small donation. Agent86

 

[vetteboy86]

That looks like a pretty good deal. The manual looks to be in good shape. I hope someone will take advantage of that price. They really are helpful

 

[vee93]

Vetteboy... If you don't get what's available on eBay, I'd definitely give Helm's a CALL---Here's their toll free number: 1-800-782-4356 (credit cards only)
regular number: (313)883-1430
M-F 8:30a.m.-6p.m.(EST)

 

[First C4]

I have contacted HELM and their cost is about $88 if I remember right, it has been some time. The manuals are always turning up on ebay. I am a little leary of some of the software that I see on ebay and have seen the cd parts manuals but am not sure of quality.