Chassis Service Manual

[Thomas F.]

Hi! I've been a member for about a year now, and joined the local chapter. This site is great. My question is: I see in the Driveline Store that the 1977 service manual is out of print. Do these manuals ever come back into print? Also is the supplement needed for this service manual? I would like to puchase this from the Driveline Refrerence Library rather than going elsewhere. Tom

[Jim T.]

Re: Chassis Service Manual

Not to take a sale away from the NCRS store, however you can purchase the manual direct from the publisher Helm Inc, this may or may not work

http://www.helminc.com/helm/Result.asp?Style=&Mfg=GMC&Make=CHV&Model=CVET&Year=1977&Category=1&Keyword=&Module=&selected%5Fmedia=&mscsid=3G1NRC6KWKW28JJJU4VX0Q14QGU4FHQE

[Chuck S.]

Re: Chassis Service Manual

As Jim said, I don't mean to take any business from the NCRS store, but TWO pieces of info are implied by their response...the 77 CSM is out of print by Helms, and the NCRS store is OUT OF STOCK.

Supporting your club is admirable, and I do so whenever I make a purchase, but there is nothing magical (other than a nominal discount) about buying the CSM from the NCRS reference library. Try other vendors...I expect some specialty book stores like Classic Motorbooks will still have the CSM in stock; call their remaining stock NOS if you like.

Getting the CSM directly from Helms may be hit or miss depending on when the manual went out of print. By now, I would be kind of skeptical on the 77 edition. I had always thought Helms printed all they were ever going to print at the initially printing, and then sold the first printing until their supply was exhausted; apparently this is not the case.

When I bought my 70 Corvette in 1991, I thought on a whim that I would copy the order slip out of the owner's manual just as I had always done with every GM car I ever owned, and send it in to Helms with a check for the CSM and overhaul manual. (Dude!!!...Whatsmatta you?...The car's more than 20 years old! )

To my great surprise, Helms STILL had the original manuals in stock (I think repros were already available!). BUT...they did want more money for them; I had to write another check.

[Terry M.]

Re: Chassis Service Manual

Helms reprints manuals, and sometimes the difference can be discerned by the quality of the photos in them. The original printing has clear, sharp and distinct details in the photos. The reprints (probably photocopied, although I don't know how they handle that thin paper) are muddy and indistinct.

For years I bought service manuals for my driver cars from swap meets -- back when swap meets actually had something worth buying. I soon noticed the quality difference and would only buy manuals that are first run.

[Thomas F.]

Re: Chassis Service Manual

Thanks again for the info.

[Jim T.]

Re: Chassis Service Manual

Chuck I believe the NCRS store is out of stock on the 1977 service manual, the click on info I provided goes directly to Helm and it says the manual is in stock.