you may also be able to order older manuals from them both, I was lucky enough to find a set of five factory 1971 (dealer ship) ford service manuals at a swap meet that covers all 1971 ford cars and has a lot more info than the chiltons,haynes or others have in them...
I like the 5 vol Ford Repair manuals. Google "1973 ford repair manual" and you'll find ebay and sources.
I think that there is someone selling CDs of scanned original Ford manuals on eBay. Seems I have seen that a few times ... reasonably priced too < $20. If it ever comes down to Chiltons vs Haynes ... Chiltons all the way. Haynes manuals always seem to come up short. ... very weak.
Hmmm. I always felt Haynes was more in-depth. I have the Maverick Chiltons, and the Mustang II Haynes, and I get better info from the M2 Haynes, most of the time.
On my Christmas list I asked for a Chilton manual for the Explorer I just got ... the wife got a Haynes for me instead. According to Haynes, Explorers don't have horns or cruise control (They list nothing about either). Unfortunately, there is a common problem with what is called a Clockspring (in the steering column) that affects several items. Found that in an online forum ... no such thing mentioned in Haynes. Had a Haynes for a Suzuki Sidekick ... it was awful. They seem to have a set of basic topics that they cover for every model, and do that well, but if there is anything unique about that vehicle, it tend to escape them or they don't seem to cover tricky repairs in enough detail. Talking from older experiences that I have had with Chiltons, I just seemed to be better prepped going into it. Seemed that there was better detail if you were headed for trouble. Haynes is probably OK on older vehicles that were much simpler, but lately, they just make me invent new bad words ... Haven't had a Chiltons lately ... might be as bad ... I guess we'll see when I get one for an Explorer.
yea the cd on ebay just search for maverick and there is a cd with all the ford cars of that year. bought one and there is a huge amount of info
I bought a Haynes book for my 85 Ranger to work on my 5-speed. I got home and unwrapped the book and turn to the transmission section and I was disappointed when I read "Due to the complexity and special tools necessary, internal transmission repair procedures are not recommended for the home mechanic." But the book did show how to remove four bolts that secured the shifter. I have always used Motors and Chilton as a guide but my latest Chilton Book is '77
For newer cars, and my seadoo toys, I grab the shop manuals off the internet for free. Usually in pdf format, and VERY detailed. I have them for all the Seadoo water toys, and my Hemi truck. These are the actual shop manuals from Seadoo and Dodge. A little research on the web can pull up some good stuff. But for the older stuff, I have always had better luck with Haynes. More detail, and more pages. I also have the Haynes for Holley carbs (worthless), Ford Engine Overhaul, Ford Auto Trans Overhaul, and Automotive Body Repair and Painting. The only Chiltons I have ever owned were for the Maverick and Chevy Luv Pickup, both worthless, for the most part.
will the 5 book factory ford set be good enough or the same as mercury 76,or does comet have there own
The only real difference for the Comet should be some trim details. Mechanically it should all be the same. I would try to stick to the correct year, though, unless it covers a range of years.
