Service manual applicability from year to year?

[fhturner]

Hey everybody--

I'm trying to get hold of a service manual for my '98 Coupe on eBay, but some of these maniacs seem to be willing to pay more than what a new set from Helm, Inc. costs! There are, of course, some '99 and '00 manuals there, too (along with other years as well). I'm wondering if a manual for a '99/'00/... is essentially the same as for a '98, but with notes and/or new sections where there are changes. Or, does the '99 manual completely disregard anything about the '98 that might have been different for '99?

Basically, I want to know if I'll screw myself up if I get a '99/'00/... manual for my '98. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Fred

P.S. If you're interested in a QuickTime movie I made of the CNN/Lou Dobbs Corvette feature the other night, check out this thread:

CNN 6 PM ET 3 PM PT Corvette piece

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
The newer the manual, the better information you sometimes get.
The only thing that you may NOT get, is correct tolerancing of critical components, like engine specs when building the engine or the like.
For the most part, a newer manual would be the better purchase. This is because the diagnostics are constantly being revised, and changes are made over time.
In the service area, we have the service information on computer, so manual updates are already incorporated.
Hope this helps, c4c5

 

[fhturner]

Okay, cool. Thanks for the info! I forgot to inquire in my initial post about these manuals that I've seen marked "Preliminary". Should those be avoided, or are they essentially just as good as the "normal" sets?

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
I would NOT purchase preliminary informational manuals.
Too many things change from there to the actual correct manuals.
Preliminaries are sent to hold dealerships over, until the final manuals are complete, and they ALWAYS contain much better information than the preliminary copies.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[fhturner]

Once again, c4c5, thanks for the help! I will steer clear of those "Preliminary" manuals. Hopefully I can find a deal on a set of "complete" manuals.

 

[fhturner]

The newer the manual, the better information you sometimes get.
The only thing that you may NOT get, is correct tolerancing of critical components, like engine specs when building the engine or the like.
For the most part, a newer manual would be the better purchase. This is because the diagnostics are constantly being revised, and changes are made over time.

c4c5--

I am returning the '99 service manual I got from Helm, Inc. for my '98 coupe, since I will now be driving a 2000 coupe instead. If you were me, would you buy the 2000 manual or a new 2003/4 manual (or any in between)? I won't be getting fancy and rebuilding the engine or anything, but I would like the best source of info for my particular car.

Thanks!
Fred

 

[fhturner]

*Bump!*

Sorry to keep asking, but any thoughts on this, c4c5?

Thanks!

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,.
Sorry I missed this.
I would get the 2000, if this is what you are driving.
This will take good care of you and your car.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[fhturner]

I would get the 2000, if this is what you are driving.
This will take good care of you and your car.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You're the best! :BOW