Who makes a good repair manual?

[SHO Squall]

Okay, once again I'm going to base my question on my former ownership of only VW/Audi cars. When I had mine, I did some of the work myself, and would have done more if I had a decent repair manual. I've heard horror stories over the years about certain companies (Chiltons) printing manuals that had incorrect torque specifications, part numbers, etc. When it came to VW's, THE manual to get was the Bentley Factory Repair Manual. It was 3 volumes of 300-400 pages each, or 1 big (and difficult to navigate) CD.

So, that said, what's the best way to go on getting a repair manual for my SHO? I read in a recent post sometihng about Haynes not really having much in it, and I'd like a fairly comprehensive but not-altogether-impossible-to-understand maual if possible. Is there a Ford Factory repair manual? If so, can it be purchased by owners?

I'm very interested in this, as I have a few minor modifications and "Creature comforts" I've been thinking of working on, but having a manual would greatly aid in determining the feasibility and complexity of those projects.

Thanks in advance!

-John

 

[SHOZ123]

The Ford cds on eBay are the best deal for the money. The actual manual is from Helm and cost about $80. I have the paper manual and never use it.

 

[scared rabbit]

nikotonks,
regarding one of your posts about the 3.5-ers and our V8 SHO motor...Yes it is 100cc larger but it is NOT a V-8. Wasn't sure what you meant but just clearing the air

 

[Runningjon]

I am not sure if it is the same for the Gen 3, but as far as the gen 1 and 2 are concerned I know of four choices.
I have all three of the books for the Gen1 and 2 and here is my experience
Haynes manual (about $20 from any local Autoparts store): Very little info on the SHO, mostly about the regular taurus, not to descriptive. Hasn't helped me at all. I think it would make better kindling for a fire than it does a shop manual.
Chiltons Manual (about $20 from any local autoparts store): MUCH better than the Haynes manual, I have found at least a mention of whatever I was looking for everytime. Can be a little too general sometimes but overall not too bad. This is the one I carry in my trunk for emergencies.
Helm Manual (I got mine from CincySHO.com for $85) Highly recommended for any type of major work. I have changed my clutch, rebuilt my transmission and done the whole 60k by myself using this book. If the part is on your car, it WILL be in there with a paragraph or two on how to find it, how to take it out, how to fix it, and how to put it back in, as well as the Ford part number. Well worth the money if you do any major work on your car.
I have never used the CD's on E-bay but I have heard good things about them.
Good luck,
Jon

<small>[ September 06, 2002, 11:51 AM: Message edited by: Runningjon ]</small>

 

[RoadWarrior]

man..I really want one of those ebay cd's..but they don't cover the gen1's shoot