Which manuals to buy?

In the hopes of saving msyelf some headache and lessening my dumb question posts around here, I'm wondering what the difference is between the Fisher Body Manual and the Factory Assembly Manual? Can I get away with just buying one? I'd like mechanical info but also stuff that shows where all the interior parts go.

Thanks!

 

I've never seen an Assembly Manual, but the Body Manual does a decent job of showing interior parts, especially for the $20 or so. Don't Assembly Manuals run over $100 or so?

(You can get a CD with the Chassis Manual, Body Manual, and other info for about $50 at several online places.)

 

You're better off buying every manual for your car you can get your hands on. The Chassis Manual will show everything about the mechanical portions of the car, including the drivetrain, suspension, and most of the electrical systems. The Body Manual will show all the ins and outs of the body itself, such as how the trim is attached and how the interior is put together. The Assembly Manual is just that, it was used at the factory to show the workers which versions of the parts went on which cars. For instance, '70-72 Skylarks and GSX's got black stripe rocker moldings. GS's got the red stripe moldings. The Assembly Manual would explain that.

That's a simplified explanation, but you get the idea. The Chassis Manual shouldn't cost more that $50-$60 bucks. The Assembly and Body Manuals are usually around $20-$25. HTH.

 

Hmm, I thought the Assembly manuals were more than that - I need to go get me one for a '71 LeSabre.

 

Oh yeah, it does more than that. I was just trying to get the basics across.

 

Cool thanks guys.

 

Hey, no one mentioned the Fisher manual! I would buy this as well as it goes into things that the Buick service manual does not and covers all Gm cars for the year. It goes into things like body allignment and door and window mechanisms that the service manual does not. Also the proceedure to set up the windshield wipers so they sit correctly when off. How many cars do you see with the wipers up on the windshield when off? This book solves stuff like that. Probably about $30.

 

That's the book I meant by "body manual", I think the title is actually "Fisher Body Manual". You're right, it's a must-have book covering everything related to the body/interior. :TU: