[Gregski]

I checked out two Chilton Mustang II manuals one was 1974-1976 and the other for 1974-1978 at the local library and I must say they were terrible. I wanted to see a picture of the engine and some vacuum diagrams and a wiring schematic for my 302 boy was I disappointed.



The library did not have any Haynes manuals but I see a couple on eBay but before I buy one I was wondering what you guys think of them. My personal experience hasn't been that great with either one, the joke with these after market books is installation is the reverse of uninstallation, right?

[BigDaddyEd]

neither really show very good pictures, they just give basics on tear down and reassembly, if you plan on keeping you car for awhile, buy a mitchel manual, they give all specs

[BigBallin]

where do you get one of those

[BigBallin]

nevermind 490 bucks

[sikedsyko]

I got a Haynes manual for the 94-04 Mustangs at half price books for $5. It's come in handy for a lot of the electrical work I've done on it.

[Gregski]

I'm finding out as time went by the manuals got better, so the 94-04 Haynes is better than the 79-93, which is better than the 74-78, just saying

I know for a fact that the Haynes and Chilton's for my 97 Tahoe are much better than the Haynes and Chilton's were for my 85 Blazer

[1rnkpny]

Good info doesn't come cheap.

[BigDaddyEd]

try a ford dealer by you, see if they can make you some copies of the pages in their repair manual

[Gregski]

So the Haynes manual arrived in the mail today. I tore into it as quickly as I could and began flipping through the pages. I was quickly disappointed. 90% of the book is dedicated to the four cylinder and the six cylinder engines, and the V8 is an afterthought mentioned in suplemental Chapter 13.



Chilton's Pros - detailed explanation of the systems, ie, Positive Crankcase Ventilation System, Fuel Evaporative Control System, Improved Combustion System, Exhaust Gas Recirculation System, Thermactor Air Injection System, and Catalytic Reactor System. Couple paragraphs each.



Chilton's Cons - no detailed wiring diagrams / schematics, no detailed vacuum diagrams, no engine component location diagram ie ported vacuum switches go here and here, water and oil sensors go here. Minimal step by step removal and reinstallation procedures. Conversion tables - what the heck, LOL.



Haynes Pros - Tons of specs ie valve seat run-out, lobe lift, journal diameter, detailed wiring diagrams / schematics, detailed step by step removal and reinstallation procedures.



Haynes Cons - no detailed explanation of the systems, no detailed vacuum diagrams, no engine component location diagram ie ported vacuum switches go here and here, water and oil sensors go here.



Even with exploded carburetor diagrams in both books I still don't know what half the nipples on my Motorcraft 2150 due, and what hoses should plug in to those. Luckily I can google that carb and download some PDFs.



I'm not renting here I am trying to help the next guy who like me will need a manual. And I'm so hell bent on the vacuum diagrams because I am in California, you know where emission controls come from, lol. Now waiting for my Ford Engine Car Shop Manual to come in the mail, and I may buy the Clymer as well, heck I might spend more on books than I did on this darn engine, $100.

[1rnkpny]

Originally Posted by 1rnkpny Good info doesn't come cheap.

I thought I said that before ^^^^^

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by 1rnkpny I thought I said that before ^^^^^

yes you did !

yes you did !

[YAHAHA]

I wish I had joined here before and could have told you that I have both of those manuals and they are not good for much more than a general tune up.