Assembly Manual - Useful Or Not?!

[Ludigdrums]

Hey everyone. I have an assembly manual that came with my 81. I have found it to be very hard to find anything. There's no sort of index or page numbering system that seems to mean anything. What are your thoughts and what do you use. Chiltons is not useful at all and looks like a kids book. The Haynes is much better, yet not specific enough for me. I want something for my 81 as there have been a lot of weird electrical changes made and I want to know what was exactly what to start with. Thanks a bunch!

- Jeremy
'81 Corvette
'87 Monte Carlo LS

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

I know what you mean about trying to find thing with the assb. manual. Not easy. I still have the one for my 80 that was totalled 2 years ago. I only used it once and it took some time to find what I was looking for.

I have other manuals like the ones you mentioned as weel. The books I use the most are GM shop manual I picked up on Ebay. I even found an electrical diagram book for my 78 that is great. I use all the books in one way or the other; Some cover things better than the other.

So I will say, find as many as you can. The shop manual are the best; but don't give up that assb manual there are times that is the only way to find an answer.

Gary

 

[Stallion]

I use it. It is hard to find stuff, and MidAmerica sells an index, but it is better to have it than not, in my opinion. I also have the '78 GM Service Manuals (electric, wiring diagrams, overhaul, etc.). Very useful information.

 

[JohnZ]

The assembly manual is extremely well-organized, IF you understand the UPC Group system; all of the base car parts are in their own UPC (Uniform Parts Classification) sections, and the parts unique to options are in their RPO-numbered sections. Forget the page numbers - all that matters is the UPC Group and Sheet number for base car parts, and the RPO Code number and sheet number for option parts. The UPC Groups are set up as follows:

UPC 0 - General Information and Procedures
UPC 1 - Body Construction, Trim and Hardware
UPC 2 - Frame
UPC 3 - Front Suspension
UPC 4 - Rear Suspension
UPC 5 - Brakes
UPC 6 - Engine
UPC 7 - Transmission
UPC 8 - Fuel & Exhaust
UPC 9 - Steering
UPC 10 - Wheels & Tires
UPC 11/13 - Front Sheet Metal & Cooling
UPC 12 - Electrical
UPC 14 - Bumpers & Miscellaneous

 

[Thumper]

I use my assembly manual all the time. I like the exploded views and it gives you an idea on the sequence of how to put things together. I also have the factory service manual and parts manuals. I use all three. I also have the Chilton and Haynes manuals. You can never have enough reference material when taking a car completely apart and putting it back together again.

I don't mind that I have to search for things in the assembly manual. I still think it's cool flipping through the pages. I use post it notes to mark the pages I need.

 

[Tpost]

certainly hope they're of some use--I just purchased one last week from the good dr.

JohnZ--thanks for the index info--I'l try to make an index for my manual when it arrives

 

[wwilkins]

The index is available from nearly all the parts places that sell the manual and they aren't very expensive. I am not willing to live without mine. The whoel manual and the NCRS guide for my car were the best purchases I made. When I get my next one I'll hav both of those books before I buy a single part.
Bill

 

[arrio]

JohnZ, Thanks for the UPC group index. Thats great! I saved it as a document file to later index my assembly manual.

 

[81 Corvette]

I want to know what was exactly what to start with.
[/B]

Start by yanking that electirc crap outta of there. Ok, thats my plan.

btw, i have the Haynes and the 81 GM shop manual. Seems to me, the shop manual is geared to a real mechanic, and the other manuals are more geared to the shade tree. That said, they both contain good info, but i prefer the shop manual as its more specific to my model.

The GM shop manual has good electrical diagrams, including proper wire color and size along with all the switch, circuit breaker and fuse info.