I forward this great information to the rest of the list with a =
question: Are similar manuals available for the Midget as well? I =
would assume this is correct.
I did, in fact, purchase the useful Chilton's table support mentioned =
below. However, I disagree with it's propose use--kindling seems more =
appropriate. :)
----------
From: Gary R. Burrell[SMTP:burrelgr@tuns.ca]
Sent: Monday, September 18, 1995 8:22 am
To: J. Michael Roach
Subject: RE: Factory Tuning manuals was (RE: Stupid Tuning Question)
Well I have a number of different manuals for my 1968 MGB here is my=20
review:
Autopress 1969-73 MGB workshop manual: Given to me by the DPO when I=20
bought the car. You will note my car is a 1968. I threw this on a =
shelf=20
so I won't really comment on it.
Chiltons 1961-80 MGs ($14 US): Covers MGB, MGC, Midget and MG 1100. =
This=20
is your generic auto repair book with some MG specifics. Not much =
bettter=20
than nothing at all. (In fact you probably are better of with no =
manual at=20
all) My recomendation for this book is you use it for a table leg =
support or=20
such. =20
Haynes MGB 62-80 ($16 US): Probably the best manual other than the =
actual=20
factory service manual. Some good pictures, and sometimes more =
information=20
than the factory manual. To be honest IMHO Haynes does not have the=20
problem alluded to above, but Chiltons sure does. (I also have the =
Haynes=20
SU manual ($14 US) but to be honest I never had much use for it)
Bentley, The Complete offical MGB 1962-74 ($45 US): Contains The reprint =
of the owners manuals, the factory service manual and the special tuning =
manual. This is what the garages had. It is with out a doubt the best=20
manual to have for your car. =20
Owners Workshop Manual 1968-81 ($15 US): This is a glovebox size book I=20
carry in my car. (well actually it doesn't fit in my glovebox so I have =
it=20
under the seat). It seems really good although I haven't had much=20
opertunity (knock on wood) to use it. The only times I've used it have=20
been when I was working on the car and was to lazy to go and get one of=20
the other manuals. Reasonably complete but small size and small print.
My recomendation buy both the Haynes and the Bentley. If you can't get=20
both, the Bentley is better but assumes you are a mechanic. If you are=20
just starting out buy the Haynes and later as you want to tackle more=20
difficult projects get the Bentley. You can save the cost of both=20
these manuals with just one do it yourself job!!! =20
One other book that deserves mention here is the factory parts manual. =20
This is a comprehensive listing of all the parts on the car, and their=20
factory part numbers. It was the only way I was able to get the=20
correct part number for my speedometer (I have a 1968 "Canadian"=20
metal dash MGB), and my speedometer (which had been replaced with the=20
wrong part) was specific to that model. Now if only the US vendors =
would=20
start using the factory part numbers instead of their own numbering=20
system. (The UK vendors all use factory numbers, as does Seven) =20
Gary Burrell
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