What is better?

[22in78]

I have a 78 SAE (stock) & I need a good overall reference manual for the car & all of its components, mechanical, electrical, etc. What is the main difference between a Shop Manual & an Assembly Manual? & what are the advantages of one over the other? or, is there something better than either?

Tanks in advance for your help & opinion.

 

[spikebot 81]

I have 4 differnt manuals for my car. The gm shop manual and the corvette assembly manual are by far the best. The assembly manual shows every part, bolt and nut on the car with very limited notes to some assemblys. Pretty much just pictures. The GM shop manual will help you overhaul all major components.

 

[mkapp7879]

Get both, the Assembly Manual and the 78 Shop Manual.
For some extra info, get the 79 Corvette Shop Manual. Pretty much covers the 78, too. Couple of electrical details are different, tho. It's ALL Corvette as opposed to the 78 Shop Manual which is all GM makes. Kind of a pain wading through all the Impala, Chevelle, and Camaro info.
You can usually find either of these shop manuals in pretty good shape on ebay.
All the vendors carry the assembly manuals, usually about $20.

 

[82ColEd]

See my reply in the Tech Section Thread under the same title..