1 comments about Haynes Repair Manual, Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer, 1991-2000.

1. This book has helped me save some serious time, as I am not an automotive guru. It has also cut down on the amount of trips to the parts store. It could have been organized better, and it should have gone into more detail.

5 comments about How to Rebuild Small-Block Ford Engines.

1. This book has been around a lot longer than most books.It does offer a lot.A good guide from inspection of your engine to assembly,installation and tune up.Tom Monroe writes in an easy to understand way.His books are helpful so you wont be wasting your money.Plenty of information throughout make this a reasonable book despite its age.The 351C isnt included in this book.
   
   Its a good book and is worth adding to your collection.Good value.Its 3.5 stars as there are newer books out there that offer more.



2. It did not have enough information on setting timing. Also did not have enough information on engine identification.



3. Good for who want to rebuild a stock engine. To get a litle perfomance tuneup you have to find it into another book.



4. This book is an excellent guide to rebuilding small-block ford engines (sbf). Written by experts with years, this book is written specifically about rebuilding the sbf. Anyone who is rebuilding an engine would find this book useful because of the large amount of general wisdom about rebuilding.
   
   Starting with how to assess whether the rebuild is needed, and a discussion of the tools and skills required, the book can help keep you from getting into a project that is beyond one's abilities or desire to complete. There is also a thoughtful section on hopping up engines, since the time to do it is during a rebuild.
   
   Various options for levels of quality of parts to use as well as the decisions around how much machineshop time to use are discussed. Finally well ilustrated and very detailed step-by-step instructions take you through the full rebuild from tear-down to build-up and through reinstallation in the vehicle.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone who is contemplating rebuilding an sbf. The combination of detailed instructions with thought-provoking advice will go a long way in helping to create a successful rebuild.



5. I'm the author of this book, so I watch the reviews, albeit a little late on this one. I've been busy authoring a book on how to build Windsor racing engines.
   
   None the less, Shane Edwards said in his review, "Following the instructions contained in this book will ensure the speedy failure of your valvetrain." From this statement, either Mr. Edwards was reading the wrong book (giving him the benefit of the doubt) or he doesn't know the proper way to do valve jobs or set up valvetrains. I gave several methods of reconditioning heads and valves, including how to check springs and setting up the valvetrain. I warned against quick-fix methods, but opted instead for methods to give better than original life.
   
   A telling statement Mr. Edwards made was, " He should try to write one book that tells you how to do the job correctly and find an editor who can eliminate the plethera of spelling and grammatical errors that rittle his work." I can assure you, all methods are discussed and shown being done correctly. From a review made in Road & Track Magazine, the reviewer said, "If you can't rebuild your small-block Ford using this book you're using it as a coffee-cup coaster." As for editing, Bill Fisher aka California Bill, the Publisher and editor of HPBooks at the time had a reputation for being the toughtest editor on the planet . . . literally. So nothing got past him or the experts who read the book. That's not to say an error or two got into print, but they've been corrected a long time ago.
   
   For really hardcore racing information on engine building, which includes valvetrain setup and all other aspects of the process, my book "The Racing Engine Builder's Handbook" is now available. The Windsor Ford Race engine book is in process.
   
   Mr. Edwards is right about one thing. This is not an FE engine. That's the big block. Steve Christ wrote that one. Clevelands and M-series engines are part of the 335-series of Ford engines and the 385 series makes up the 429 and 460 Ford engines. These are covered in the Ford V-8 book, all of which are available from Amazon.
   
   Judge for yourself.

1 comments about Ford Escape & Mazda Tribute, '01-'07 (Automotive Repair Manual).

1. Why does this company have to publish these auto repair volumes on paper little better then toilet tissue? The information is fair to good, but with the poor quality paper, the photographs are almost useless for ready reference. $15- $17 is an OK price, just don't pay the list of $25. My rating would be 2.5 (50-50) if allowed.

5 comments about How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod, Revised Ed..

1. As of Saturday, 25 Feb. I had not received the book. This was ordered priority mail. Is there a tracking number to check on this item?



2. This book is very well done. It is mainly a one style book of ideas and those opinions and style come from the Bay Area of California so they may not exactly jive with So Cal or East Coast or anywhere else, but the info is very useful and well written. Don't necessarily agree with things like the stock 32 center cross member (too hard to change trans) or statements about the strength of stock trans and rear axles (have broken both with 304" flatty). Overall highly reccomended for Real Hot Rodders, if you aren't sure of the difference, look in the trunk - if there are tools, it's a Real Hot Rod, if there are only lawn chairs, it's a Street Rod.



3. As a mere hobbyist, this was the book that made me realize "Wow! I can do this!". I found the enthusiasm of the writer to be contagious, the directions relatively clear (despite my lack of experience), and the advice to be sensitive-yet-consistent. Mike Bishop uses plain language and gives enough history to justify technical and aesthetic decisions without wasting words on superfluous background and gratuitous information. It's a short read that is chock-full of the exact knowledge I need to complete my build, but yet leaves plenty of room for individualization. If you are going to build a Model A hotrod, start with this book.



4. Very well written; one of the only books I could find on "traditional" hot rods.



5. Enjoyed the great tips on how to build a Hot Rod. This book helps you get more ideas than you already have. You will definately be informed.

2 comments about Ford Pick-ups & Expedition 1997 thru 2003 (Haynes Repair Manual).

1. If you want to make engine repairs, this manual gives basic "how to" information. But there is no "tricks of the trade" type information and to really use this manual you will need to be pretty familiar with similar vehicle types and engine repairs and have all the "mechanic tools." It has a decent number of pictures but I have to agree with others that the Chilton manual has a few more pictures providing a little better detail and covering a few more subjects. I am not sure of the accuracy of the book because I had no intention in rebuilding the engine or transmission, so much of it is a waste to me. I really purchased it for information on how to remove & replace interior and exterior items that a mechanically inclined consumer might upgrade or to perform maintenance work such as belts, breaks, struts. For some of the maintenance items, there is information to work from as part of larger projects but in general this manual does not provide that information and I am disappointed in the purchase. It does provide some info for working on breaks and suspension, but if you have have the airbag suspension, the detail is lacking.



2. We bought a book for our 99 Ford F250 It was great so when we needed one for my SUV 2000 we came back and ordered one form the same company. It is a great book with all and information you may need on your auto

5 comments about Chilton's Ford Pick-Ups and Bronco 1987-96 Repair Manual (Chilton's Total Car Care Repair Manual).

1. Chiltons books used to help me rebuild engines, transmissions, axles and more. They were very detailed and helpful. When I opened this one to try to troubleshoot the transmission, it says the only thing I am smart enough to do is check the fluid level. Beyond that, I need to go to a mechanic.

   Somewhere along the line, Chiltons has become completely worthless. I'm not wasting my time or money on them anymore.




2. I purchased this book to find out how to repair the heater and change the fuel filter on my 1990 diesel F250. It offered no help on either. Trees have fallen in the forest for no good reason.



3. A more comprehensive repair book than a Haynes Manual. Written by the Haynes
   people anyway.



4. I ended up replacing the water pump before I got rid of this truck and the diagrams and directions in the manual got me through it with minimal headaches. Now if I could just afford to buy all the tools needed!



5. I have a Chilton's manual that I bought when I had my old mustang. It covers '87-93 Mustangs and was an INVALUABLE resource when I had that car. In fact, I continue to reference it frequently when I'm doing work on my '87 Thunderbird, because it's based off the same chassis and many things are similar. I bought a Hayne's manual for my Thunderbird and I hated it, so I went back to the Chilton's for most reference.
   
   So, when I bought my '94 F-250 diesel, I figured a Chilton's would be a good investment.
   
   Boy was I wrong!
   
   For starters, my truck is a 7.3L IDI Turbo diesel, which was produced in '93 and '94. There is not even a MENTION of this engine in this book. It jumps straight from the naturally aspirated 6.9/7.3 IDI, to the Powerstroke. Now, granted, the Turbo IDI is pretty similar to the n/a IDI, but some mention of the turbo system or something would have been nice.
   
   From there it gets worse. I can't believe the amount of detail that is nowhere to be found in this book. As another reviewer mentioned, this thing completely omits anything about the fuel filters on the IDI engines. Then, later on in the book, it skips over many other topics. It describes how to remove the instrument cluster, but doesn't specify which model year it's talking about, and includes several unnecessary steps while leaving out necessary ones (I removed mine with help from some folks on a message board). No instructions on how to remove the headlights or marker lights are present anywhere in this book...only how to change the headlight bulbs. The exploded assembly diagram for the 4WD front suspension is smaller than a 3x5 index card and it's impossible to make out any detail. Things like this should have at least half a page dedicated to them! And that's just what came across for things I've been trying to do on my truck so far.
   
   I don't even understand how you could produce a repair manual that was lacking this many important details.

3 comments about The Model T: A Centennial History.

1. This is a very good book that will appeal to a broad audience. Robert Casey has written as much about the cultural aspects of America's entrance into the motor age as the vehicle that started it. There is also plenty to hold the fascination of the technically minded with Casey's discussion being accentuated with many charts and pictures of the inner workings of the Ford Model T. The chapter on "Manufacturing the T" is nicely illustrated and gives an enlightened explanation of the evolution of the world's first assembly line. The chapter on "Selling the T" provides some very interesting background on the people that helped create the phenomenon of the T's success.



2. Eight hundred fifty dollars for a car seems cheap now, but it was only just within the grasp of the everyday man in 1908. "The Model T: A Centennial History" is a celebration of the hundredth birthday of the first affordable automobile, marking an era when America would gain mobility like never before. An in-depth history of the vehicle describing why the science of its design worked for America, "The Model T" is enhanced with countless black and white photos, some of which have never before been published. A must for true car lovers.



3. This book was just what I wanted. It came in due time - didn't have to wait too long.

5 comments about Henry Ford Today and Tomorrow - Special Edition of Ford's 1926 Classic.

1. This is an outstanding book for those folks in manufacturing who are starting out on their "Lean" journey. The book teaches the uninitiated an original thinker's way of recognizing "waste" in manufacturing, and often, how to deal with that waste. Taiichi Ohno took a "shipload" of this book with him to Japan in the '50s and made sure that every Toyota engineer read the book. The rest is history as to how Toyota packaged this information for the rest of the world, including the United States, in its now famous "7 wastes of manufacturing." You will enjoy the book and learn what an outstanding visionary Henry Ford really was.



2. This is the book that made me appreciate Mr Ford's accomplishments and how he changed the world of business, particularly manufacturing. He was a leader and true visionary in many aspects of business, which are chronicled herein, and many of the roots of Lean are documented in this text. Aside from kanban and `jelly beans', he didn't miss much of the fundamentals of what we see as Lean.
   
   The impacts of Ford's principles on business, the economy, social ramifications, and more are profound. The ideas, thought processes, and applications are expressed well and we can learn from these today. Too bad much of the rest of American business lost sight of Ford's techniques as they became enamored with scientific formulae like EOQ (economic order quantities) without questioning the assumptions.



3. There are different "uses" for this book - some I'd recommend, and others not.
   I WOULD NOT recommend this book for it's insights on -
   Economics: Ford explains a classic industrial notion that a company paying employees more will increase its sales because employees will buy more company product. Not only is this a false assumption of employee behavior, it also only approaches plausibility for very large consumer product companies.
   Finance: Ford describes how financial instruments are short-term narcotics and long-term ills. His opinion seems to ignore the buffering benefits of finance, as well as the gains created for society by letting financial tools open possibilities.
   
   HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK BECAUSE -
   
   It is current: Ford describes a organizational skill poorly understood and mostly ignored: coordination. In the book, many processes are described that Ford says are all well known to other companies, but how the Ford Corporation made the processes interact was their power. Today's out-sourcing is more palatable knowing this skill.
   It is insightful: An excellent alternative to the "profit-motive" of companies is presented: service-motive. Not because profits are bad does Ford present the service-motive, but because profits are give unreliable feedback. Ford sees the maintenance of service to the public as a more durable goal.
   It is historical: Not only does it provide the roots to Taiichi Ohno's - Toyota's - operations strategy, but it also gives clues to why Ford lost dominance. The Toyota roots pop up in Ford's writing on waste, on cleanliness (5s), on continuous flow, and on timing. The clues pop up with his ignorance of customer desires vs. needs, his overconfidence in managing highly diverse businesses, and his inattention to downstream processes.
   
   If you know the limitations of Today and Tomorrow, you then can reap great benefits by reading it as if it was written last week. Many of its ideas have yet to fully play out in the world of industry.



4. If you would like to know who really started the Lean Journey look no further than Henry Ford



5. Being employed in the car industry, finding a book like this is particularly useful as I can relate to a lot of what HF has written. What's really surprising is, he writes of things which are rational and based on common sense, but many don't seem to speak about or even practice in their daily work! Much of what is today attributed to Toyota was common practice at Ford factories in the 1920s! Ford was a world leader and pioneer in the field of mass producing automobiles, and companies like Volkswagen even used American mass production machinery. People who have been reading Kaizen, JIT, the Toyota Way, etc. should buy this book and study history. Henry Ford, American Military Training-Within-Industry and W.E. Deming's influence and contribution to the rise of post-war Japan cannot be denied. One of HF's many enlightening observations: Big business is not money power, it is service power!

4 comments about How to Rebuild the Small-Block Ford.

1. The best analogy for describing this book is that it's like having several long conversations with a veteran engine builder. It's easy to read and contains lots of valuable tips as well as Ford specific things to watch for.
   
   For you late model 5.0L guys, myself included, be aware that the book follows the build of an old-school 302. So the bottom end and valve train are covered pretty thoroughly but I finished craving a bit more 5.0L specific detail such as induction, fuel-injection, computers, etc.



2. This book is great for the novice engine builder looking for one book to show you how it's done. The magazine style writing with tons of pictures is easy to follow and includes lots of helpful tips. This book, together with a shop manual specific to your vehicle is all you will need to finish your project. The only thing that I found lacking was it could have used a little bit more detail on some of the finishing touches (ie. setting the rockers/valves - which is only explained with one picture/comment) of your engine build. After looking at several other books for information, I determined that this was the best / most current available. With all that said, my rebuilt motor runs great!!



3. First,If you are about to rebuild an early model Ford small block engine I would suggest this book.If you are looking for a book on later model EFI Ford small blocks engines this book isnt the one you want.
   
   This book is really a great book.Covers many factors to look at before you rebuild.You dont have to be a mechanic to read and understand this book.Covers all areas of rebuilding.There is even a section on performance tips and more importantly step by step instuctions with plenty of photos show make this book and this series of books ideal.Also,This book is an ideal book for those apprentices and those considering a mechanical apprenticeship.
   
   This book is written in simple English.Anyone with an interest in cars would enjoy this book.There is so much this book has to offer.For the price alone its good value.I hope that more books like this will be written for other makes of engines too.
   
   One thing I noticed is that the books from CarTech/SA Design tend to be better set out than the HPBooks.These new books from S-A Design/Cartech are better quality books than the earlier editions.
   
   No matter what make of engine you are rebuiding you can benefit by reading this book.
   
   If you are rebuilding an EFI Ford small block I would recommend this book:
   "Ford Windsor Small Block Performance:parts and modifications for high performance street and racing."By Issac Martin.From HB Books.Its available here at amazon.com too.



4. This book purports to cover the 351M/400 (335)series of engines. Don't believe it! It is a 221 to 351W text that barely makes any mention of the mid block engines. I am very disappointed.

4 comments about My Life and Work - An Autobiography of Henry Ford.

1. I'll just say this about Ford. He was absolutely the greatest industrial mind off ALL TIMES.



2. Anyone who has read "My Life and Work" will understand exactly what is wrong with our country today. There are three ways to create wealth--grow it, mine it, or make it--and activities like flipping houses or trading carbon credits do not qualify.
   
   Ford developed what is now known as the Toyota production system, and readers will see a very explicit description of just in time manufacturing (and its benefits) in "My Life and Work."
   
   Ford also summarized effective labor relations in one sentence: "It ought to be the employer's ambition, as leader, to pay better wages than any similar line of business, and it ought to be the workman's ambition to make this possible."



3. A great insight into Henry Fords' way of doing business. Of course hindsight is 20-20 and Ford tells of his secrets to success with the Model T. A good reference for the automotive historian or budding entrepeneur.



4. Henry Ford is the classical writer on management. He stands on a same line with Sun Tzu, Niccolò Machiavelli, Robert Owen, Frederick Taylor and Henri Fayol.
   
   This is the foundation of all the management literature, and every modern manager should be aware with the works of the authors above mentioned.
   
   In the book "My Life and Work", Henry Ford presents his view on different things: management philosophy, social life, human abilities and capabilities, the role of the bankers in the production, good debt and bad debt, the labor and the speculation, the roots of poverty and the ways to solve it, the role of the government, and other important topics.
   
   You will also find an autobiography in this book, but there is a lot of things that Henry Ford avoids in this book, e.g. how did he took the controlling stake in the Ford Motor Company. He didn't write in the book that he have started another company, Henry Ford and Son, and made a show of taking himself and his best employees to the new company; the goal was to scare the remaining holdout stockholders of the Ford Motor Company to sell their stakes to him before they lost most of their value. The ruse worked, and Henry and his son purchased all remaining stock from the other investors, thus giving the family sole ownership of the company.