Shop Manual Difference

pburchett · Dec 13, 2018

What is the difference in these two shop manuals?
Getting ready to do some work on the old 600 Ford.
I have the Ford shop manual but wondered if it would be wise to get the I&T manual?

Bob Bancroft · Dec 13, 2018

I don't know about Ford, but I have been very disappointed with aftermarket service manuals.

coshoo · Dec 13, 2018

Haven't seen the Ford manual, but the ITT manuals tend to assume you have considerable mechanical knowledge already. Maybe Ford manual is a little more basic.

guido · Dec 13, 2018

Hello pburchett,

You have a Ford and A Ford manual?

Guido.

Brendon-KS · Dec 13, 2018

You are very correct in saying that the I&T manuals are written for an experienced mechanic. In fact, they essentially state that on the first page. They are often criticized but I wonder if that is more because people expect the manual to tell them exactly how to do something rather than just point them in the right direction. I've used I&T manuals for several procedures and they told me just what I needed to know. Nothing even remotely superfluous will be mentioned, though. These manuals assume that what isn't spelled out can be filled in by experience and common sense.

DeltaRed · Dec 13, 2018

you could/should have one of each. they each have 'holes' in them. having two 'covers' the 'holes'.discovered that when I worked on a Hydro100 transmission.

shaun wallace · Dec 13, 2018

I have both. The top one is a reprint The pictures suck they don't copy well. That's way mine is. Has lots more info than I&T. I have had the real one when in dealership in 70s.

johnofnewhaven · Dec 13, 2018

I have more than one shop manual
for each of my trators. I am by
no means a mechanic but usually
can figure things out. When I
can't I rely on others with more
knowledge than me. The folks on
this site are a wealth of
knowledge!!! Like others have
said get both manuals.

paul · Dec 13, 2018

The red one is the better one.

If you have the extra $15 or whatever in your pocket, it doesn?t hurt to have both.

Paul

SVcummins · Dec 13, 2018

I like to have the factory and the i&t just because I
like books . The factory manual has info on every
system on the tractors and better wiring diagrams
and hydraulic system flow charts . The i&t simple
and easy to look up some quick info they use to be
made of a better paper that if you did get a little
grease on em you could wipe it off now they?ve
even cheapened up more and they?re regular paper

Leroy · Dec 13, 2018

Like I have said before as one is likely to have a sentance worded a bit different so you understand it or just a different view of a picture so you can see what info you are missing in the other. And they may well be several different printings of the same manual with things changed a bit or deleted a bit and with ALL both IT&T or factory between them all you can figure things out usually. At times the factory manual assumes you know more than the aftermarket does. They are cheap enough get both. And when you are at a show where there is a manual seller look for different versions than what you have in both factory and aftermarket. They will likely have the older versions that stores will not and get both. I think I have 3 different versions of the AT&T and the orignal factory for my 44 2N and they also cover my 41 9N

CenTex Farmall · Dec 13, 2018

I have both IT and IH manuals for the farmalls. The IH manuals usually have more about _how_ its supposed to work not just take apart and put together. I've found both manuals to fill in little details left out by the other for various systems.

Probably depends on the manufacturer too. For my old dozer I have just the Allis Chalmers manual and it goes into great detail and leaves nothing out. All you need.

For cars and trucks the factory manual are substantially better. I have a pile of Helm manuals for when I need them. As far as I'm concerned, the haynes and chilton manuals are only good if you just need to look up how to change a tire.

SVcummins · Dec 13, 2018

That?s what I like about having every type of manual for different machines

Robert Major · Dec 14, 2018

I have several factory Reprints and I&T's that cover tractors that are the same. I got the originals after struggling to diagnose hyds on
tractors with the I&T. The worst was a JD I was pretty confused and nothing made sense, I found out why with a factory copy. The hydraulic
section in the Factory book was 10 times thicker than the I&T for the whole tractor. I fix for a living so know more than enough about most
things, But certain things you can't guess without the right test procedures.
I've always said an I&T gives just about enough information to get some guys in more trouble than the original problem sometimes, A couple other
guys have said the same thing to.

To be honest I'm buying good factory copy paper manuals , or CD's only I just got discs for a MF 6270 and Landini Ghibli shipped from the U.K a
few weeks ago costing about $20 each. The amount of info on them is scary, and a lot of things that are set up different to basic mechanical
practice for certain parts. Like you wouldn't think of thread lock or thread sealer for certain things they want you to use it on.
Regards Robert

ss55 · Dec 14, 2018

I consider I&T manuals to be the Cliffs Notes version of the real thing. Both have their place depending on your needs and budget.

Texasmark1 · Dec 14, 2018

I have that factory manual and even though my tractors are newer, sometimes go to it to better explain things that are similar in newer tractors. I don't think you can ever have too many
manuals. On my newer tractors, I have OEM and I and T and each have their tips missing in the other......get it. Ebay has them at a good price, free shipping.

Shop Manual Difference

pburchett

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Bob Bancroft

Well-known Member

coshoo

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guido

Well-known Member

Brendon-KS

Well-known Member

DeltaRed

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shaun wallace

Well-known Member

johnofnewhaven

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paul

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SVcummins

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Leroy

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CenTex Farmall

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SVcummins

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Robert Major

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ss55

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Texasmark1

Well-known Member

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