Les Andrews books concerning errors within...

[mngrant]

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.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Tom Endy

The few errors in the book that I have noticed are so minor that they will not lead anyone down the wrong path.

Tom Endy

Just the other day there was a thread on the Barn from a fella that broke a pan bolt by torquing it to 20 ft/lbs...
Personally I don't see this thread as "picking apart Les' work" but preventing someone from making a mistake.

[john in illinois]

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

[RUNNERBUN]

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.

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by Tom Endy

Les Andrews has written the most comprehensive and definitive book ever written about the Model A Ford. His mechanics handbook has aided many Model A enthusiasts. The few errors in the book that I have noticed are so minor that they will not lead anyone down the wrong path. There are some areas where he could have provided more detail. This is where others can contribute, rather than detract. Rather than pick Les’ work apart, time could be better spent writing technical articles that compliment and add more information to his articles.

Tom Endy

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.

[bbrocksr]

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Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Just the other day there was a thread on the Barn from a fella that broke a pan bolt by torquing it to 20 ft/lbs...
Personally I don't see this thread as "picking apart Les' work" but preventing someone from making a mistake.

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

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by bbrocksr

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

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

[The Master Cylinder]

Originally Posted by bbrocksr

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

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

[Jwilli]

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

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by bbrocksr

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

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.

[Synchro909]

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.

[hangarb7]

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

[katy]

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.

[Jeff/Illinois]

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.

[The Master Cylinder]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

katy I just fill the gear case and the rear end until it starts running back out of the filler opening.

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'.

[Steve Plucker]

So far there are 14 concerns, issues.

Pluck

[160B]

Originally Posted by Steve Plucker

So far there are 14 concerns, issues.

Pluck

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

[mshmodela]

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

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by 160B

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

Or make a sticky!

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by katy

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.

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