workshop manual

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Ronald G. Stephenson

David, a shop manual shows scarce little about the car and its workings,

I don't know what manuals you have Ronald, but maybe you are confusing "owners" manuals with "workshop" manuals.

I have original workshop manuals from Jaguar, Aston Martin, Triumph and MG, among others, and they contain considerable detail about the car, including detailed instructions on servicing, dis-assembly/assembly, adjustment and repair of all major components of the power train. This includes diagrams, measurements and tolerances pertaining to clearances, torque settings, pressures, back lash, run out, pre load, end float, temperature, timing, sizes, fixing types and specification and special tools required.

Some are more detailed than others, but they are all very useful to both novices and engineers like David.