I found a copy of a digital Hanes manual that may be missing pages. I was wondering if anyone had the Number of pages ? I'm at 259 pages including cover and exterior, its an 84-88 manual.
------------------ Finn Craigg ----------------------- Proud owner of Starr, "Do you like 4 cyl?"
There are a few different versions- early on, it was very complete but did not have the 88 suspension and brake info...later, they (Sort of) added that info, but then removed a bunch of electrical schematics.....I have what appears to be an 1989 and a 99 version....The 89 one is the best- has basically everything- but it is still missing a few 88 suspension bits of info....The 99 version is missing MOST of the schematics. They do not have page numbers so I can't tell you how many either has.
thats the same problem i had with my ford aerostar.they redesigned the areostar half way through and the newer books deleted stuff for the earlier vans.i was lucky to find the early version on ebay.
GM FSM are made for Dealer Service Dept & even they have problems because Editors Copy/Past pages to whole sections & never bothered to see if correct for X model. Example: 84-86 Fiero FSM has wrong images & more in rear brake section. Only fix in 87 FSM.
Alldatadiy.com is subset of Alldata.com that made CD/DVD for decades for 3rd party repair shops. Most info is GM et al License Direct Copies of FSM including TSB that have other info or some changes/updates to FSM.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
GM FSM are made for Dealer Service Dept & even they have problems because Editors Copy/Past pages to whole sections & never bothered to see if correct for X model.
My personal opinion, both the Haynes manual, as well as the factory service manual, are important.
If someone is new to working on cars, and is experiencing almost everything for the first time, the Haynes manual is a superior manual to use. It gives step by step instructions for performing the vast majority of the mechanical work needed to get certain things done. It provides lots of pictures, and even gives tips and tricks to help you get things done in a more DIY perspective.
The factory service manual on the other hand, is very technical, and glosses over a lot of stuff that's assumed you already know. And rightly so because most of the people using these manuals are going to be shop mechanics. To the point that when it covers things like rebuilding an engine, it very often doesn't even use a Fiero engine in the diagrams. Like, my 1985 Fiero service manual has specifications for like a half-dozen engines... only two of which are actually in the car. When you're looking up things like ring gap or tolerances, it puts an entire chart of GM engines where most of them have nothing to do with the Fiero. So... there's a LOT of re-use when it comes to GM service manuals. They tend to copy/paste things from one car to the next. It's still an excellent manual.
My recommendation is to use the Haynes repair manual a lot for most of the day to day things... like replacing brakes, doing suspension work, etc. And use the service manual for things like verifying torque specifications, or when you intend to do something more precise like an engine rebuild, or need a wiring schematic.
Thanks for your opinions and experience, I'm looking into what manual would be the best for 84-85. It seems that the Factory Service manual for an 84 or 85 is my best bet. From what I'm reading a Chilton is more accurate than the Haynes books, and Haynes got inaccurate pictures.
I'll be looking into getting my hands on some of these books soon, thanks for all y'all's experience.
------------------ Finn Craigg ----------------------- Proud owner of Starr, "Do you like 4 cyl?"
Thanks for your opinions and experience, I'm looking into what manual would be the best for 84-85. It seems that the Factory Service manual for an 84 or 85 is my best bet. From what I'm reading a Chilton is more accurate than the Haynes books, and Haynes got inaccurate pictures.
I'll be looking into getting my hands on some of these books soon, thanks for all y'all's experience.
Thanks for your opinions and experience, I'm looking into what manual would be the best for 84-85. It seems that the Factory Service manual for an 84 or 85 is my best bet. From what I'm reading a Chilton is more accurate than the Haynes books, and Haynes got inaccurate pictures.
I'll be looking into getting my hands on some of these books soon, thanks for all y'all's experience.
i agree.plus the factory service manuals pages always feel like they are about to tear.i have the chiltons book.its great for quick info.
biggest problem w/ Haynes is that often have a pic or diagram for X thing & never tell the reader what year & more. It matter because many think right way to fix then find out doesn't apply to your year or trim level.
Just for 4 cyl Fiero... While Duke QRG in my cave covers many issues even that doesn't have everything. 84 has way more things different then wiring issues vs 85 or 86. Like 84 has Throttle cable can't use 85-86 TBI. 86 has V5 AC "pump" like 87-88 but Haynes ignore that too & have different rules to charge the system. 87 & 88 are way different then all three & some points different from each other too but can switch whole engine & many do because 88 balancer fails trashing the motor.
Even 84 apparently has Factory Install Roller Cam engine as part of Indy Trim Level.
