Bentley Manual for '76 Cars? If Not, Which Manual?

[Dan in Pasadena]

I already own the 101 Projects book and Waynes Engine Rebuild Book, also the Bosch Injection book (blue one, can't remember the title) and the Buyer's Guide. But I'm thinking I should own an ordinary manual for use in making routine diagnoses/repairs.

Pelican doesn't list a Bentley Manual for prior than the SC cars, is there one? Couldn't find it on Amazon either. I had a Haynes Manual for my old 944 and really wasn't all that impressed with it, I thought it was just "ok".

Recommendations?....and NOT the $500 factory set, that just ain't happening.

[MotoSook]

Dan,

The Haynes manual is pretty good to have for pre-SC cars, and it's cheap compared to the other manuals. Of course you might also stumble across a PDF version of the factory manual...(heavily debated topic)

Edit: Bentley does not have a manual for pre-SC cars.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Souk, EXACTLY the info I was looking for an from an unimpeachable source too...as usual, thanks.

Agreed the Haynes Manuals are inexpensive. Did a search on the PDF factory manual and ran into all the controversy...think I'll steer clear. Thanks again. I'll order the Haynes.

P.S. Story behind the "Ex - Gruppe B Member"?

[MotoSook]

The '76 chassis is pretty simple (my backdated "Bastard" is a '76)...chassis, brakes, tranny & engine (and CIS) and electrical. Get the electrical diagram (Pelican has a list of electrical diagrams in the Tech articles area...save the one that applies to your year). Everything else you need to know can be searched for here.

You take the engine out of the car and everything left is very very basic.

The GB thing..better left alone...just not a supporter anymore.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by Souk
..The GB thing..better left alone...just not a supporter anymore.

Okay, got it. The board "has ears"!

Thanks for the advice on the car/manuals too, Dan

[Howard M]

Dan, buy the Bentley manual, too. Except for the engine (which is also quite similar), the SC Bentley manuel is very applicable to our chassis. You will find it an excellent companion to the Haynes manual and ultimately, more valuable.

Howard

[MotoSook]

Howard is right. Get the Bentley for SC also.

[PatrickB]

Dan~

You've got a PM, but you need to first clean out your mail box!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by PatrickB
Dan~

You've got a PM, but you need to first clean out your mail box!

Grrrr..... my box is EMPTY!!! I keep getting those "box full" messages and I long ago cleaned it out. There is NOTHING in it.

(Not mad at you Patrick)

If you'd like to drop me an email use estradad@metro.net (now) or vdanestrada@yahoo.com in the evening. Thanks to Howard. I actually wondered about that. I figured there couldn't be THAT much diff between the cars....your advice clears it up.

[Grady Clay]

Dan,

Make your own ’76 car-specific manual. An easy start might be to down load the relevant PET parts manual sections from PCNA and print the exploded diagrams. With a digital camera, scanner and copier you can just accumulate the pages specific for your car. “Personal Car Specific Manual”

I have one for my ’70 914-6 CP/GT2 that pre-dates PCs and is literally “cut & paste.”

Best,
Grady

[Dan in Pasadena]

Grady, Great idea, thanks. I plan on keeping this car until I can't manage to get my old butt in or out of it. May as well do as you say and save myself future aggravation!

[MotoSook]

Dan,

Clear your "Sent" box too.


Grady has a great idea. I have maybe two full 4" binders of stuff for my '76. Sure I said it's simple, but I started collecting literature for it a long long time ago

[PatrickB]

Dan~

PM me your regular Email address.... I have another option...

[Grady Clay]

Dan,

Souk is correct, it is a never-ending project – just like the
car. Start simple and add when appropriate.

You will find necessary stuff in the Factory Manuals ’65-’89,
some good stuff is the both the SC & Carrera Bentley, there
is even useful info and illustrations in Clymer and Haynes.
I’m tempted to buy multiple copies al Anderson and
Dempsey and literally cut them up to make room for my
additions.

The best part about a personal manual is you can be much
more car specific and include far more than what is typically
in a workshop manual. You can even include threads and
posts from Pelican.

This will also let you collect the “Service Information Bulletins,”
Product Circulars” and more. None of this is compiled in one
place unless you do it.

"
"
© Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche A.G.

"
"
© Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche A.G.

"
"
© Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche A.G.


I think it works best on disc and then maintain a printed version
for working on your car. Maintain an index! As I said in
the above link, this makes a very useful information tool for
your 911 and increases its value.

Best,
Grady

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yeah, no querstion this is a good idea and one of the things I like most is I can structure it in any way that makes sense in my little pinhead!

Since I tend to be an anal-retentive type, I could see myself ACTUALLY cutting pages out of books to put in those clear page protectors in a 3 ring binder. Leave it on a shelf in the garage, then when more/better info comes along I can easily add to it.

Right off the bat? I've got extensive in-process pictures of the car while it was undergoing paint. I think those are valuable because they are dated and because you can see (well, more or less) that there really wasn't any rust or body damage. Anyone can say it but I can prove it.

I'll order a COA too and put it in there.

Grady, any chance you could/would upload a complete set of pix of yours? - of course delete info not to be shared, but I'd love to see your little details.

[Grady Clay]

Dan,

I anticipate PCNA will eventually provide all this on-line for free within the next decade or so. There are many (not just me) lobbying for this and there is a big American car push for legislation to require the manufacturers/importers to provide the technical info. I keep arguing that PAG/PCNA can lead the way and become heroes.

The “black market” is full of all this technical information – for a cheep price. You need to make a judgment to pay the unreasonable prices PCNA is demanding for the original material, pay the bargain black marketers, get together with friends and cooperatively accumulate the information or other. Right now it seems most go to the black market. PAG/PCNA can eliminate that by providing the info for free (at a price to cover the production costs.) I suspect it is possible they can loose the copyright if they don’t take the market away from the black marketers. PCNA did this last year with the PET parts catalog CD (000.043.400.06 for retail $11.04).

I can’t see any reason for PAG/PCNA to not do this. It is a win-win-win situation. PAG/PCNA can maintain copyright, they service their loyal customers, they comply with US law (something that could be argued they aren’t) and they promote sales of new Porsches.


Anyway, I’m glad you are pursuing your own “Personal Car Specific Workshop Manual.” You will enjoy the process and the result.


“Grady, any chance you could/would upload a complete set of pix of yours? - of course delete info not to be shared, but I'd love to see your little details.”

No, for obvious reasons I only quote excerpted copyrighted material for “fair use” critical review. I don’t upload remotely complete works unless for that purpose.


Best,
Grady

[RoninLB]

buy the 76/77 Technical Specifications pocket manual. If you can't find new got to a swap meet for an eyeball.

[Dan in Pasadena]

RoninLb, Any chance you have a picture of the cover of this pocket manual? I take it that it is different than Grady's yellow Service Information cover in yellow above?

[Grady Clay]

The original publication number on mine is 4224.20.
I think the current part number is WKD 422 420
“Tech Literature Pock” $47.75 listed in the Dec. ’05
PCNA Retail Price List. Outrageous price for 86 pages,
119 x 92 mm.
"
"
© Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche A.G.

Best,
Grady

Edit to correct a typo in the P/N.

[David E. Clark]

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
RoninLb, Any chance you have a picture of the cover of this pocket manual? I take it that it is different than Grady's yellow Service Information cover in yellow above?

I think he's talking about the Factory Spec book. You can buy it here.