Girlfriend got a service manual for christmas for her '86, we are finding out that it does not have all the information as the service manual for the same year downloaded from fieronews.

...ok. Never heard of such a thing before. Providing a picture would help. I have both the PDF version and an actual 1986 copy of the service manual, and they are the exact same thing.

WIN!!! Cuz I posted this from my phone! Yay for learning new things! Lol

Edit: I think it is because it is the preliminary, which is what he forgot to mention. I noticed I didn't see much help on the clutch part, so I decided to look at one of the downloadable ones to see if I would have more luck. I soon find out that my book has a LOT less stuff in it than the one I downloaded.

[This message has been edited by FireGirl (edited 01-03-2012).]

No kidding. Huh, well thats new to me, like I said, never saw one of those before. You learn something everyday. Reminder never get one of those.

Never seen one of those before! Could make a nice collector's item, as I doubt there are many around.

quote Originally posted by Bloozberry: Never seen one of those before! Could make a nice collector's item, as I doubt there are many around.

Whoa, if THIS guy hasn't seen one before...you got a rare and unique piece on your hands!

So I did some searching and the preliminary manual is only 500 pages, whereas the service manual is 1300 pages...

quote Originally posted by FireGirl: So I did some searching and the preliminary manual is only 500 pages, whereas the service manual is 1300 pages...

Yup, sounds about right.

I saw one of those marked preliminary on ebay. opted for a CD version, which of course I find out is on here anyway. I opted for the CD version and did not buy the prelim on ebay.

I got this for a christmas present and she didn't know what kind to get (as we all know, there are so many different manuals out there)

quote Originally posted by FireGirl: I got this for a christmas present and she didn't know what kind to get (as we all know, there are so many different manuals out there)

Well even though it doesn't have all the data the actual service manual has, it's still an awesome gift being a real part of Fiero history that not many, including myself, knew about.

Preliminary service manuals are pretty much what the name suggests. They cover any upcomming changes for the new model year ( MY ) production untill a completed MY publication is released. I'll have to dig out my prelim 86 and 87 manuals to recall exactly what they do and do not cover. What would be covered in a prelim for 86 is new features of the car such as the PG97 body style, 5 speed Getrag transaxle, changes to the gauges and wiring etc. It doesn't cover all the carry over systems such as steering, brakes engines etc. For those systems the technicians would refer to the previous MY manual.

If I recall correctly the 86 prelim manual is about half as thick as a full manual and the 87 prelim manual is only magazine thick.

[This message has been edited by jelly2m8 (edited 01-03-2012).]

Nice score! I worked at a Pontiac dealership in 2001-2002 until they closed the building to rebuild it for an Audi dealership and moved Pontiac to a nearby Chevy dealership. When they closed down I took factory manuals for 84,86, 87 and 88 Fiero including Prelim manuals for 86 and 87, I was thrilled. Never really knew if the prelims were a rare item but I never really though of it either.

-Joe

Well that is awesome to hear! I guess I will keep it since it seems to be so rare. I still would like the full service manual though, I am relying on that to help me out a bit to answer my simple questions haha