Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

Tom Endy pretty much sum this up for me.

To supplement Les' work I have cross referenced any and all articles from "the Restorer" onto the index of Les' publications. This gave me not only the technical application, but also the hands on work, detailed colored photos and an approach from another knowledgeable source.

But, darn I still bang my knuckles.

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

His Vol 1 got me started in model A's in 2008. Valuable information. I think if you use the book and gain experience you will recognize small discrepancies.

John

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

We all agree that the Andrews book is by far the best book available for Model A owners regardless of how experienced they are as a motor mechanic. I'm sure that Steve Plucker did not start this thread in order to "pick apart Les Andrews Book"
I encourage all to contribute to this thread in the spirit in which it was started.

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

Why not make a list of errors in the book for the next revision and a list of suggestions as to how to make it better or what parts were confusing or which parts need more detail? I am sure that would be helpful to make the book better. The author doesn't have to agree with any suggestions.

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

Common sense should prevent anyone from torquing a 5/16 pan bolt to 20 ft/lbs.
Bill

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

I seem to remember an old saying that goes, If sense was common everyone would have some.

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

Ya think? But I believe the point was it happened because an inexperienced person read it in "The Book".

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

The oil pan torque is in vol 1 page 1-146 paragraph 5 on left side of page.

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

As the old saying goes, the trouble with common sense is that it's not all that common! This forum caters for all levels of experience, which is probably painful to the experts but hopefully they are here also to further the hobby by helping those of us who aren't.

Pluck's concept is most helpful to newer owners like me who have bought these manuals and rely on them for instruction. Let's all contribute in the spirit with which he initiated the thread, i.e. With respect for Les and each other, and by making Steve's job as easy as possible (be specific about the issue when you decide to post, provide page numbers, confine it to issues that CAN be resolved, don't dilute the discussion with unrelated anecdotes!).

Good luck, Pluck. I'm looking forward to the outcome and if you'd like someone to help collate and present the results in a form that can be made available to download, I'm happy to assist. I generally only "take" from this forum because of my limited experience.

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

Listing errors in Les' books: where do I start???
many diagrams are back to front like anything to do with the steering. Levers shown on diagrams are nothing like what is fitted. (only one has a ball on the end)
Pictures of the 2 tooth steering box show the Steering shaft end play adjusting bolt on top of the steering box. It is on the side.
Clockwise and anticlockwise are confused in his instructions on adjusting the worm backlash.
He does not mention checking that the oil rings are the right way up (Yes, there is a top and a bottom side to them)
One thing he does get right is to have the oil scoop on the con rods facing the cam shaft. Parts suppliers tell you to have it face the passenger's side of the car WRONG
I could go on and on and on. Many of the errors are to with the fact that he knows diddley squat about RHD Model As, thus rendering his books of limited value unless the user is really on his toes and makes allowances.
I'll stop now but there are plenty of other instances, besides, my spleen is feeling better already.:D

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

Working on my brakes the other day, I found the brake adjuster wedge to be 3/4 socket, not the 5/8" indicated twice in the book. YET, I question whether there really ARE 5/8" nuts on some of them... we know things were changed along the way in production and we know there are tons of aftermarket items.

As a newbie of only 8 years, I for one, would not have known NOT to torque the pan bolts to 20 ft lbs. So that is an obvious change that should be made.

However, there could also be cross reference pages that indicate the obvious or needed changes (as in a separate list somewhere), whether Les revises his books or not. Just because he might publish a new version with updates doesn't mean I will go out and buy it.

To me, the books are invaluable, AS IS THIS FORUM. We are all the mechanic in charge so we have to take all the information as we find it.

Thanks Pluck.

JackD

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

In "Model A Ford Mechanics Manual Volume 1" on page 1-17, and in the specifications at the back, it says 2 1/4 pints of gear oil for the rear axle. correct me if'n I'm wrong, but methinks it should be 1 1/2 pints.

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

katy I just fill the gear case and the rear end until it starts running back out of the filler opening. I don't pay much attention to the amount your supposed to use, maybe I should! But in 40 years of Model A's never have.

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

That's how I 'Top Off' my trans and rear end but when changing the oil it is nice to know how much they hold so the proper amount can be ordered, since I can't seem to find the proper oil locally. Just sayin'.:cool:

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

So far there are 14 concerns, issues.

Pluck

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

To make it easy to find the 14 issues would you consider revising your post #1 and include them in a list?

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

Nothing wrong with per review, there is not an author out there who is unhappy about folks helpling to make their books even better

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

Or make a sticky!

Re: Les Andrews books concerning errors within...
 

per the service bulletins page 227

transmission ::: 1 pint
differential ::::: 1 1/2 pints
steering gear ::::7 3/4 ounces 7 tooth 4 1/2 ounce 2 tooth
2 quarts total will do the diff , trans and steering box