Customer Reviews

Ford Full-Size Vans, 1961-88 (Chilton's Total Car Care Repair Manuals)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Ford E series vans tend be be a bit out of the mainstream as far as repair manuals go. Most of the vans purchased in the US tend to go to instuitions or companies with fleet repair centers, so the individual owner interested in doing their own work has a tough time. This Chilton's manual for the E series, part of their total car care series, does a good job of supplying a great deal of information to help the individual owner. Ther are some problems though, and some important areas are oddly ignored. There are also several examples of spotty editing, and it does not look like any one knowldgeable person actually read the entire book. The electronic engine control system is completly ignored. This omission is very serious, since aside from the basic functioning of things like alternators, water pumps and crankshafts, the EEC as it's called, has more to do with the correct operation of the engine and transmission than anything else in the vehicle. There are simple self-test functions in the EEC that allow an owner to at least understand what sensor, Etc. is not working and to possibly repair the vehicle. Some text in the book claims that there are no electrical wiring diagrams, yet nearly a quarter of the pages are devoted to very complet and detailed schematics of all the covered E series vans. Coverage of the body, doors, locks Etc. is incomplete and frustrating to this owner of a '90 E250, as is information on the various models, sizes and capacities of the big ford vans. On the other hand, Everything you might want to know about the antilock braking system, the various rear ends used by Ford and all of the engine and running gear mechanical parts is well covered. All in all, a good reference work, but you can not truly do "total car care" with just this one book. For myself, I've added it to the one other E series manual and the EEV manual on my shelf.

We have a 1988 Ford Champion Class B and seeing that my husband does all the repairs and maintenence himself this is a must have. Very detailed with diagrams and instructions, a beginner could probably follow them. Made a trip from TN to CA last winter and this book proved to be a worthwhile investment.

We were switching engines from and 87 into an 88. The air conditioner and blower systems could use more detail. However, it did give enough information to make the change happen easier.