I'll second the Repair Operation Manual. I also have the Haynes but always use
the ROM as the Spitfire Bible. The specifications and detail are second to none.
Vic Whitmore
76 Spitfire
Thornhill, Ontario
Terry Thompson wrote:
>
> 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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