Why can't we all just get along?? I picture a day when
the Haynes users can join hands with the Chiltons and
Bentley users and we can all sing Kumbaya M'Lord.
I've had Haynes and Chiltons manuals for various cars.
I haven't seen a Bentley. I use the Spit 1500 repair
operation manual (ROM) from BL. It's different from
the Haynes and Chiltons in that there are very few
commentaries in the book. All of the work explained in
step-by-step 1. do this 2. do that. And there are
charts for EVERYTHING.
As compared to the Haynes and Chiltons where the
projects are written in paragraph form and things are
more explanatory. But you do tend to get an awful lot
of the "make note of how it is on your engine" type of
stuff (atleast in the Ford Haynes books I've read).
Another difference is that Haynes and Chiltons use a
lot of photographs (black and white) which are
difficult to discern, especially on the grimey engines
they're taking photographs. Personally, I think every
photograph should have a descriptive line like "Above
- a photo of the mechanic's greasey hands in front of
the item you should be looking for."
I guess it's really not that bad, I just like the line
drawings better. I know a lot of people want to see
how it looks in the real world, and the
Chiltons/Haynes photographs show EVERYTHING that's
there, where as the line drawings in the ROM clean up
the view a bit and give you un-real angles to compare
to your real world engine.
A true advantage to the ROM is that it gives different
sections for European/British market and U.S. market
vehicles. And if you want to do some British
modification to your car the ROM can guide you in that
direction (hose connection, wiring etc).
Other than that, it's pretty much personal preference
as to which type of direction you're able to follow
mentally. I think my simple mind likes the 1,2,3
directions, and I'm less likely to skip a step. In the
paragraph style books, I always misread a sentance or
read over it. But, on the other hand, you miss out on
the descriptive element. And British cars are much
simpler than American cars, and less prone to the
Haynes catch phrase "this may be different on your
car", which most people find most disdain for in their
manuals.
Then there's the price difference. My ROM (the closest
thing I will have to a bible) which I think cost me
$50, was white at one time. Now it looks like it was
in a real mechanic's workshop for the past 5 years.
I'd much rather have had a $15 book to muck-up. But
it's still utilizable.
-Terry
P.S. I have on occasion had exception with the ROM,
where it says something like "Step 4 - Remove the tie
rod from the connecting arm." And I'm flipping through
book going "HOW the *$&! do you remove this thing?!?!"
I'm beating on it with a hammer, trying to wedge pry
bars in there. Dipping the front end in troughs of
Power Lube. The implication is that it's just supposed
to slip out of the verticle's steering link. Hint: You
need a tie rod puller. You'd think they'd mention
that, but mechanics already know you need a tie rod
puller, so they don't.
--- Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net> wrote:
>
> Yes, I read your initial message on the subject.
> However, I have only one service manual for
> Spitfires and it is the Haynes.
> Personally, I have found no need for another one.
> THe Haynes tells me everything I have found that I
> needed!
>
> Joe
>
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