3 comments about Big-blk Mopar Php1302.

1. Chuck Senatore's new book on building high performance Mopar B & RB motors is well-written, with excellent tips and advice for the hands-on home builder, or the professional engine builder. His experience with building Mopars, and with helping to develop his company, Muscle Motors, into a respected authority on Mopar engines, is evident throughout. While this is not a step-by-step engine building guide, it provides background for all the decisions that must be made before one begins the building process. Particularly valuable is the discussion on developing a plan and purpose for the motor you want to build, before starting. The only criticism I have of his information is that it seemed he gave short shrift to head porting, and hydraulic cam choices. Though home head porting is one of the hottest, and simplest, mods a competent novice can perform, Mr. Senatore devoted less than a page to the actual process, and recommended the novice leave this job to a machine shop pro. Little more time is spent in the discussion of hydraulic cam choices for hot street performance, even though this is the major growth and interest area for Saturday night street cruisers which see little actual strip action. For the person who is interested in these areas, there are pleaty of information sources elsewhere, and I still believe that this book is a must for any person who is considering building a B/RB motor, regardless of their level of experience. Good job, Mr. Senatore!



2. lots of info and history of the engines. Also gets onto the the area of what is best of MOPAR and aftermarket equipment.



3. First, I own many books viewed as competitors or complements to this book. This however is my favorite so far.
   Why? Well to start with the information tends to be an excellent blend of general how and why the individual engine components work and the effect they have in contributing to the overall performance and attitude of the engine you are building. The book really comes through with some very specific recommendations on part and process selections. The author authoritatively speaks to some of the well-earned reputation, legend and mythology of the mighty big-block Mopar engine family.
   The book guides the reader through, not merely choosing between stock or all-out-race, but acknowledges the deisre of most enthusiasts to be somewhere in between.

5 comments about Chrysler Muscle Parts Interchange Manual, 1968-1974 (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. The book is very helpful for parts you don't have and need. It's great to look up the part I need for my Challengers and find other cars that have the exact same thing. Some of the things I have needed I have found on up to 15 different cars. I have used it faithfully since I've purchased it. The only downfall is that it isn't 100% complete. There was a few items I needed that had no listing for the interchange when there should have been. Regardless of that one problem the book is still well worth the money. Now they need a book to cover my 66 Charger.



2. This is a great source of information on which parts are the original and interchangeable parts for the different product lines of the Chrysler muscle cars. This could save someone some money by asking for the same part(and cheaper) from a different model.



3. If you see a part at a swap meet, auction or garage sale you want to know if it will work with your motor. This Parts Interchange Manual won't help! Take carbs, for example. This manual lists 141 interchange numbers with NO REVERSE INDEX. Want to know if you should bid on that 4671A for your six pack? Scan every one of 141 listings until you come to 4671A at number 124. Now all you know is it was stock on eight models and which ones those are. Will it work on that Mopar Performance intake you just bought? Who knows? Will it bolt onto anything other than the eight listed models? Who knows?

   If someone is buying a "right", frame off restoration or trying to complete one then this book has a purpose for them. If, like me, you want to turn your stock Mopars into Stage III or Stage IV performers, this book is useless.




4. I purchased the Interchange Manual plus the Restoration Guide for our 1970 Super Bee and they immediately became an outstanding reference source for our MOPAR muscle car. Information is indexed in such a way that it is easy to find what you are looking for in the book. Pictures and diagrams are clear and easy to see. Information is easy to understand.



5. Awesome reference via part numbers of all things Chrysler muscle, but ONLY by part number. There are lots of parts that interchange between years or models that this book does not reference, presumably because they are the wrong part number for whatever year. If you are building a "numbers matching" car - you NEED this book. Trying to fix up a driver or complete a project or build a clone? This may be of little or no use to you (and me).

1 comments about How to Rebuild and Modify Chrysler 426 Hemi EnginesHP1525: New Technology For 1964 to 1971 Classic Hemis and Today's Modern Crate Engines.

1. Om man händelsevis har ett hjärta för Chyslers 426 Hemi så ärden här boken ett måste, jag kan inte se att det saknas några detaljer. Troligtvis har Larry Shepard fullständiga kunskaper i ämnet.Trevligt att fördjupa sig i textmaterelet.
   
   m.v.h Lasse

3 comments about Chrysler P/T Cruiser 2001 Thru 2003: Haynes Repair Manual (Haynes Manuals).

1. I just received my Haynes PT Repair manual, for the 2002 PT Cruiser. I must say the book is very thorough in its presentation, and equally compares to other Haynes Manuals I have owned in the past. After reading the section on how to replace a timing belt, I wanted cry....HA!



2. I was pretty disappointed with this book. It was fine to see alot of the more advance engine work but I wanted a more practical reference. Holes for me included characteristics of the sound system like speaker size and identification of the wires in the stereo deck wire harness, and wiper blade correction, it goes through how to remove and replace wipers, wiper motors, etc. stressing the importance of marking the wiper motor bolt ensuring the wipers are bolted on correctly but it doesn't say how to re-orient your wipers if they are already out of alignment. In my case they were out because of freezing rain and me leaving the wipers in the on position when I shut off the car.

   To me the book seemed patched together and some of the pictures didn't look like anything on my Crusier. I can't recommend it and I am still looking for a good reference for my '02 Limited




3. i am 32 and have purchased a haynes manual for every car i've ever owned, (roughly 10). as far as i'm concerned, this one seemed to have the most missing information.. as far as specific instructions for the different model types (manual, auto, turbo, non-turbo. 2,5L..?) the instructions and component placement seem to vary greatly depending on which model you have. its not clearly mentioned in this manual though. fortunately i have enough experience in auto repair to figure some things out on my own. there are certainly some missing steps in various procedures (never tells you to take the wheel hub nut off to get the wheel hub off.. but i guess thats obvious..?) i've always found the haynes manuals difficult to determine which part is what from the description (detach the left lateral drive coupler from the auxiliary front coupling rod.. ok, sure??) there were a number of places where it just says "this is too complicated for a DIYer to troubleshoot on their own, please take it to an experienced mechanic.." i really hate that.. some DIYers are more experienced than others. anyway, i will still continue to purchase these manuals for all future cars since they are the most accessible and inexpensive, but they could use some more thought, especially for inexperienced DIY's, and this particular manual is the one that bothered me enough to actually write a review on it..

2 comments about Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Voyager & Town & Country 2003 thru 2006 (Haynes Repair Manual).

1. Since Haynes now publishes the Chilton manuals, the contents are exactly the same which is misleading. I wasted money by buying both manuals.



2. I purchased the Dodge Caravan 2003 thru 2006 so that I could
   change my Brake Pads. The information was complete and easy to follow.
   I saved money by doing the work myself.

5 comments about The Chrysler Building: Creating a New York Icon Day by Day.

1. This is it.
   This is the one you want, if you have a love for the Chrysler building's construction, her insides and outsides.
   Beautiful photos - all black and white, in a beautifully presented book. It creates a brilliant record of the construction of one of the most loved buildings in the world.
   Highly recommended.



2. Author David Stravitz wisely bought over five hundred, soon to be destroyed, negatives in 1979. They pictured New York in the 1920s and 30s and in particular one hundred and fifty showed the day by day construction of the Chrysler Building. Over a hundred of them are reproduced in this stunning book. Taken by commercial photographers Peyser & Patzig, most likely as a record for the contractor Fred Ley, they show the building as a hole in the ground on November nine 1929 to the completion of the annex in January nine 1931.

   There is something about pre-war photos, perhaps the chemicals used on glass plates or the type of paper used for the black and white prints but whatever, old photos seem to have a richness of texture that enhances their appearance and you certainly notice this in these pictures. As well as their quality (don't forget this was straightforward commercial photo assignment) there is plenty to see of the building construction, what is going on in the surrounding streets and several panoramas of mid-town Manhattan taken from the Chrysler Building, including a dramatic four-page gatefold.

   This is the sort of detail you'll see, pages eight and nine show the empty building site (taken on November nine) and traffic on three sides, turn the page to see a photo (November seventeen) showing dozens of male spectators looking down on the building site, now full of working construction equipment, traffic and a newsstand has appeared on a corner, by December one this newsstand has become a hut and incorporated into the fencing that now runs round the site. After the exterior, the cameraman went inside to capture the lovely deco detailing.

   In the back of the book there are thumbnails and captions for the photos. Page 154 has five floor plans (I was rather disappointed that there were not more diagrams showing the exterior decorative work) and you realise that the building is not oblong, the non-street end has a chamfered side. Just one of the many insights that you'll get from this fascinating photo study of one of the world's great landmarks.




3. The photos are undeniably great. All that is missing is the Cloud Club. But I'm still trying to figure out who David Stravitz is. Certainly not the author. Not one of the photographs is his. By his own admission he stumbled across this work. The firm actually responsible, Peyser & Patzig does merit a few mentions but not on the cover or the title page. Of course none of this detracts from the photos but as a photographer himself, Mr. Stravitz might be a little sensitive about taking credit for the work of others. Even Christopher Gray, who contributes a lot more than Mr. Stravitz gets low billing.



4. This book is very expensive, but very worth it.
   
   As described, the author discovered, almost by accident, a real treasure trove of exquisitely high quality photographs taken to document the building's completion to architectural specification. Rounding out a wonderfully detailed description of the economic and entrepreneurial forces behind its construction, these beautiful pictures bring the reader back into not just a major building project but a whole era. See the clothes, the cars - everything that made this a pinnacle of American exuberance and optimism.
   
   While the text is good, you might want to look at two other better examples of stories of the buildings that symbolized this era: John Tauranac's book on the Empire State building and "Great Fortune," Daniel Okrent's rendering of "The Epic of Rockefeller Center."
   
   They were hard times, to be sure, but often remembered with special fondness for those things which symbolized what we aspired.



5. This is a wonderful book with amazing vintage black and white period photos. The book mostly focuses on the building of the skyscraper in the 30's and my only qualm with the book is the lack of current photos of the building, but that is a minor critisism and should not reflect on the overall excellent quality of the book. The Chrysler Building is a pinnacle of Art Deco style and I love it. The history of the building is so interesting and story of the spire is such a quenticential New York moment. I recomend this book to anyone who loves the romance of the skyscraper and this one is magical.

5 comments about Torqueflite Transmis Hp1399: How to Rebuild or Modify Chrysler's A-727 Torqueflite for All Applications.

1. I don't know what this last comment was all about but I think the book was awesome. I have never been able to find another book that even comes close to this book.
   
   The book will not rebuild your transmission...if you think it will you are mistaken. But if you are mechanical and you would like to try and build the trans yourself ...you would be mistaken if you didn't have this as a reference while you were doing it. OR if you just wanted to know about the operation of the trans and how it is supposed to work ...this is the book
   
   However if you are looking for a great reference on what and how to build a transmission this book is the way to go. I had to buy the book for a friend when I was helping a friend with his car. I didn't know much about these units and I thought the book was a great reference. There are no other books of its kind available



2. I borrowed this book the first time I ventured into the automatic tranny. I've since built 4 of them! This is by far, THE best information for the DIY'ers! The statement below saying it's not a step-by-step how-to is not accurate. It does involve alot of theory and what-not, and it does go into hi-po mods, but it certainly is a step-by-step manual that covers most years of builds.
   
   READ IT FIRST completely before you dive in to the rebuild!
   
   Highly recommended, and I'm buying myself a copy now (since the owner of the one I borrowd wanted his back!).



3. I bought these books for my brother for Christmas and he couldn't wait to tie into them. He loved them! Thanks!



4. This is an excellent book and how to make one of the best automatic transmissions ever made, even better. However I recomend doing at least one standard torqueflite rebuild before venturing into some of the modifactions that are shown in the book. The torqueflite is one of the easist automatics to overhaul and a very durable transmission. Information is this book is meant for people with some experience with this transmission.
   
   This book is a huge asset to those who work on these and rebuild them. Years worth of technical information is compiled and shared in this book. Good torquflite mechanics may be pretty easy to find, but finding one with that has all the knowledge in this book are not.



5. This is a reasonable introduction to the Torqueflite tranny. After reading I still wouldn't be comfortable rebuilding one.

3 comments about Chrysler Concept Cars 1940-1970 (Chrysler).

1. While I think Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell were two of the greatest masters in terms of American automobile design contribution, the third within a trimvirate of greatest designers would have to be Virgil Exner. Mr. Exner's work elicited people to engage in and be challenged by elevated design consideration and critical conversation.
   
   In my mind, there was a direct link from Carl Breer to Virgil Exner, and that link most defined Chrysler's character apart from General Motors and Ford sensabilities. Chrysler was willing to take chances! I say this from a layman's perspective, as I have no background in engineering or automobile design. I am a student of what attracts me, and often in a common way. That said, I believe that Chrysler and DeSoto Airflow's of 1934 set Chrysler on a path that led to the remarkable hiring of Virgil Exner in 1949/1950. The combination of Chrysler's engineering emphasis and advanced sheetmetal was defining. Once the Airflow was born, and despite its failure at the box office/showroom, it set in motion a spectacular path of memorable achievement. When Chrysler hired Virgil Exner they redeemed the Airflow! The Airflow put on Chrysler's side of the ledger, if anyone is counting, one of the most recognized and famous automobiles in history! It is almost surprising that it did not sell well for all the celebration of the streamline emphasis of its time, and its proud grill was probably bested only by Rolls-Royce in terms of proud recognition! The Airflow was something for which to be proud!
   
   Chrysler's obsession with advanced engineering was endemic, and complemented by European continental sophistications, where power and style were strongly associated, under Exner. Italian designs were among the most beautiful, historically. Virgil Exner made sure his footing was secure before he stepped too far into truly advanced concepts, but his K-320 and C-200 demonstrated he understood sheetmetal and how to honor the essence of the automobile in romantic ways. He romanced the classic and welcomed the future, stylistically, using new materails and applications. With techology, Chrysler's forte, at his side (and under the hood and elsewhere) Exner shaped designs that moved American culture forward in dramatic fashion. He adopted the best of two worlds, engineering and design, as the essence of Chrysler. Often thrilling, sometimes provocative and controversial, Exner brought WOW to the marketplace and to the driveways of average Americans. No longer were the thrills of great design the entitlements of the wealthy! He brought sophisticated design to the average man! You could hardly be around an Exner product and not notice, note, and discuss it! His work was as interesting as the best architecture or advances in music! He was a great artist who happened to work in sheetmetal! He was Wagner in steel bodies! He wrote an American myth of romanicism and heroicism on the assembly line! He documented his efforts with tail fins, microphone tail lights, grills that referenced radiators, and celebrated the wheel and its circle as one of the greatest contributions of man! He put spare tire, circular, references on rear decks and made them stylistic and sexy contributions to the rear body work! He chose colors associated with Greek myths; replete with symbolism; Athenian bronzes and golds, wholesome whites, sexy blacks, and fiery, tempting reds! He used anodized grills and hubcaps as if to adorn chariots and shields. Mylar stitching was put in fabrics! Crowns were embossed on seatbacks and Adventurers adorned hood medalians; DeSoto Adventurers! Imperial Crowns! Were these the chariots of Gods? No, they were vehicles designed to celebrate American culture, a culture that put ideas and concepts into production lines and into the ownership of kings queens of American households! "Chrysler Concept Cars 1940-1970" offers a special glimpse behind the scenes and into the studios and minds of those that helped create the successes of dream machines of the golden age of American automobile design. What a great book! Too bad it isn't in hardback! Posterity, you know!



2. What a great book! Packed with information I've never read
   and photos I've never seen. This is a totally indispensable
   book for anyone who loves Chryslers or concept cars. Fantastic!



3. This is an excellent historical review of Chrysler's concept cars. I had seen most of them, but not all in the same book. The text was quite interesting, too.

4 comments about Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager & Chrysler Town & Country: 1996 thru 2002 (Haynes Repair Manual).

1. Save your money on Chilton. They do not hold near the information, clarity and in depth detail, thus VALUE, that Haynes Repair Manuals do.
   Having said that, I would like to address some complaints I've come across about both Haynes and Chilton's Manuals.
   1.) If your manual suggests at a point to seek professional input it is because MOST NON mechanics don't possess the skill or tools or shop equipment to perform a certain procedure (be it correctly or safely). The publishers' lawyer insisted on the "seek professional input" so as not to take on legal liability for an unqualified person attempting to perform a critical step in their care care. The reason is valid. You can injure yourself and damage your vehicle as well as render your vehicle unsafe to be on the road.
   2.) Prior to purchasing a repair manual, LOOK THROUGH IT. Almost every auto parts store in America sells Haynes and / or Chilton's. If the particular manual you need doesn't have the plastic removed, look for a manual that does and look through the sections. CAUTION most auto supply stores will get mad and make you buy anything you rip open. They're trying to sell information contained in the manual, not give it away. Some copies are USUALLY open and can be looked at. Does the manual seem logical, good pictures? Thorough? Then CHANCES ARE that brand will be a good choice for your repair. Also READ the cover front & back thoroughly. It will tell you if special vehicles aren't covered (AWD, Alternate Fuel Vehicles, etc) Know what vehicle you have so you get the RIGHT manual. The correct year, make, model, engine size.
   3.) If you do encounter a problem in the middle of a repair, it's possible that it is YOUR not doing something correctly. Not the tool, or the repair manual. Go away from the car, get lunch or a cold glass of lemonade, read through the manual. Even start again in the morning.
   4.) As automobiles become more sophisticated, there is truly less and less that a vehicle owner can do him or herself. It is a fact, you will need to take your vehicle into a dealership or well equipped shop for more things. In addition, used oil and other fluids are difficult to dispose of. DO NOT THROW DOWN YOUR DRAIN OR BURY IN YOUR BACKYARD!!!. Tires, batteries all have special disposal needs.
   5.) There are some people WHO ARE NOT MECHANICAL. Buy them books, audio / video equipment, ties for Christmas. NOT A WRENCH SET!
   6.) Neither Haynes nor Chilton are Professional Shop Manuals (these are available for hundreds of dollars).

   As for the particular manual for the Haynes (30011)Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country from years 1996 through 2002:
   This manual does NOT COVER All-Wheel Drive nor Alternative Fuel Models.
   It compares favorably with other Haynes manuals for conciseness, clarity of both written instructions and photographs and is thorough. I used it step by step to replace horns, headlight bulbs and to go through a 30,000 mile check up and service. I also checked it's description for changing wiper blades, oil and oil filters, air filters and general repairs and found it both accurate and easy to understand.
   I've been happy with Haynes manuals over the years and recommend all vehicle owners purchase one even if you don't expect to do any repair or service yourself. It helps to know the information, to be aware of how your car works and to talk in a reasonably intelligent manner (on your part anyway) when you take your vehicle in for service.
   I'm happy with this purchase.
   John Row




2. In a nutshell, don't ever buy chilton. they stink. they are always very generic, and never directed to the actual car you own. You simply can't cram 4 makes of dodge into the same book and expect a home mechanic to find it very useful. Haynes manuals have always been better. They show photos of the actual parts you're going to hold in your hand. the directions are to YOUR car, not some similar model. Buy Haynes. I don't know why auto parts stores even carry Chilton.



3. This book is like the others - Very Informative. It helps you with all aspects of working on the vehicles listed in the title. The instructions are very easy to follow. My husband likes these manuals because I can even figure out how to fix things sometimes so he doesn't have to take off work to fix the car. For the price you can't afford not to have one of these for each of the cars you own. Sure saves on mechanic bills!



4. The Haynes book relies too much on showing the specifics for the 6-cylinder engines of the Caravan and Town&Country minivan, at the expense of the 4-cylinders. Most of the specific information shows the details for the 3.0L and 3.3L and 3.8L V6 engines. Photos, illustrations, ect.
   
   As a 2.4L owner, I am disappointed that they have not included more pages to cover the 4-cylinder models more thoroughly. Other than that, IMHO the Haynes book is a reasonable attempt to cover most of the mechanical issues and problems to deal with for these cars. If you have the 6-cylinder, I think you will like the book much better.

5 comments about Big-block mopar engines.

1. I have rebuilt many engines of many different brands, I have read MANY books on rebuilding these engines, and this book by FAR is the best book I have seen, It gives step by step instructions and it makes doing it SOOO easy, even if you have never picked up a wrench, with this book you can rebuild a Big Block Mopar. This book actually makes doing work fun and easy. This book is a MUST for any person who wants to rebuild a BB Mopar and build it right.

   Eric




2. This is by far the best book on rebuilding big block mopars for novices out there. Step my step instructions tons of pictures and information. If you have never rebuilt an engine before i recomend this book



3. Amazon indicated this item was in stock when I ordered it more than a week ago. I got an Email today telling me it hasn't shipped yet, but is "in process" and I will get it 23 Feb (2 more weeks). They also say I can't change my order now since it's "in process". I figured it's because they probably don't really have it in stock, so I went to the order page and they say there that it's in stock and would ship in 2 to 3 days (same as when I ordered). I'll never place another order with Amazon. They can keep the book and my money. They don't offer a link, phone number, or anything to contact their customer service, so I used this forum. I don't like being treated this way.



4. I bought this for my brother for Christmas and he loved it. Thanks!



5. I ordered this book for my son. However he is a mechanic and already knew most of the things that were in the book. When my husband told him what he was going to do to his car my son told him he really needed this book because it was really thorough and gave step by step instructions.