essential manuals

[Matt B.]

What manuals/ books are essential to bringing my 66 coupe up to top flight status? I've got Nolan's book and a 1966-1982 shop manual, but what other books are helpful? I especially would like help in finding out what parts are incorrect and not original.

Thanks!

[Duke W.]

Re: essential manuals

1. 1966 Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual (CSM)
2. 1966 Chevrolet Chassis Overhaul Manual (COM)
3. I think the 1966 Fisher Body Manual has all the Corvette body service info, so you will need one of those, too.
4. 1966 Assembly Instruction Manual
5. NCRS judging reference documents and judging sheets applicable to 1966

Your "1966-1982 shop manual" sounds like some aftermarket publication

If you had a '63 to '65 all you would need shop manual-wise is a 1963 Corvette Shop Manual, which has all Corvette chassis/body service/overhaul information and the '64 or '65 Supplement as required to cover those model year updates and changes.

Beginning in 1966 all the chassis and body service and overhaul information was integrated into one set of manuals that covered all pass. cars including Corvette.

Duke

[Chuck S.]

Re: essential manuals

For parts, you can find parts books, either commercial reprints or originals, that have the original GM Corvette parts lists.

Ideally, you should get an issue with a publishing date that is very close to your model year Vette. For example, for my 70, I was able to find a "Motorbooks International" reprint of GM parts lists titled Corvette Parts Book, 1953-72. In my case, this was cheap alternative that gave me information on virtually all the parts on my 70 because of the proximity of the publishing date. I wasn't interested in anything prior to 70, but the issue date in 72 minimized the number of original part numbers that had been superceded by replacement service part numbers.

Note that the Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) Duke mentioned will have virtually ALL the part numbers that were installed on your Corvette. There are likely to be a few exceptions because (1) many major assemblies were provided to the assembly plant without itemized part numbers for every individual part; front suspension assemblies come to mind as an example...there will be no part numbers for the spindle, brake rotor, backing plates etc.; (2) since the AIM issue typically reproduced is the very last updated issue at the end of the model year, it's possible that part number revisions may have already occured if yours is an early car...changes made during the model year production are called "running changes"; and (3) rarely, some production part numbers were never available as service parts...in those cases, you won't find the production numbers in the parts lists because they were never offered for sale by dealers.

Remember that in most cases, your AIM and parts books will provide part numbers that can be compared with actual parts on the car if part numbers are visible, BUT OTHERWISE, these part numbers will mostly have historical interest. Very few of these original parts will have survived decades of restorers' onslaught only to be available for your purchase, but...that can't keep you from going through the motions. First check GM dealer parts counters; every now and then you find an acorn.

Sometimes vendors like Dr. Rebuild will still have some of these old parts in stock, but even when the part number is EXACTLY the same, a close side-by-side comparison is manadatory. True NOS parts ARE NOT what was last available from GM dealers, but in some cases, you may be beside yourself to find a truly functional replacement part. Good Luck.