Shop & Reference Manual - What do I Need?

[70_440-6Cuda]

I thought I saw a discussion on this but of course can't find it ... need some advice on what shop manuals and literature are the most valuable when restoring an e-body?  There is a lot of talk of Galen's white book, and I know MMC has some good reference material (albeit expensive) but I am curious what you all have found to be the "go to" manuals you use the most?

I am planning on a total tear down and rebuild, and my car is missing a lot of its original parts, mainly things like exterior moldings etc.  I am looking for something that will help me find the right trim / attaching hardware etc so I can stop pestering everyone here every 5 minutes. 

I have a Body and Electrical Assembly Manual and downloaded the literature available here - opinions on others I should have in my library?

[71GranCoupe]

I thought I saw a discussion on this but of course can't find it ... need some advice on what shop manuals and literature are the most valuable when restoring an e-body?  There is a lot of talk of Galen's white book, and I know MMC has some good reference material (albeit expensive) but I am curious what you all have found to be the "go to" manuals you use the most?

I am planning on a total tear down and rebuild, and my car is missing a lot of its original parts, mainly things like exterior moldings etc.  I am looking for something that will help me find the right trim / attaching hardware etc so I can stop pestering everyone here every 5 minutes. 

I have a Body and Electrical Assembly Manual and downloaded the literature available here - opinions on others I should have in my library?

If you are looking for reference manuals for your build the one below is good. The Galen books are ok for casting/part numbers and of course the OEM shop manual is another great one to have. Good luck on your project. 

https://shop.mmcdetroit.com/t/mmmc-detroit---e-body-fastener-manual-1970-74-fastener-manual-fmex

[Floyd]

I also recommend the MMC "Guide to Fasteners and General Assembly 1970-74 E-body" expensive, but full of good info. 

Also recommend a hard copy of the 1970 Plymouth FSMs.

I'd also pick up the catalogs from AMK Products.  A lot of the correct hardware carried by the vendors is sourced from AMK and their catalogs are very good guides: https://www.amkproducts.com/

I have a Faxon Literature 70-71 Challenger Body and Electrical Assembly manual that's also good.  There is a Cuda version as well:  https://www.faxonautoliterature.com/1970-1971-Barracuda-and-Cuda-Electrical-and-Body-Assembly-Manual-Reprint

The other thing you can do is bone up on your google foo.  I've been on several of the Mopar related boards for years and while things have slowed down a bit, there is a ton of good info residing in older/archived posts.  Chances are, someone has asked and had answered many of the same questions you'll have.  Throw "Moparts.org" or  "e-bodies.org" at the end your google search term and you'll get a bunch of forum responses listed up front in your results.

[70_440-6Cuda]

I figure this will be one of the best investments in the project - I am ready to get started, but trying to prepare as much as possible to organize and have the right "tools" in the shed - thank you

[dodj]

The FSM is pretty good at showing you how things go together and are adjusted. Not so great on explaining what the specific fasteners are, size, colour etc.

[70_440-6Cuda]

I downloaded the FSM from this site, but also saw this on Amazon - is there a difference?

https://www.amazon.com/1970-Plymouth-Repair-Manual-Reprint/dp/B00435L23M

[anlauto]

I downloaded the FSM from this site, but also saw this on Amazon - is there a difference?

https://www.amazon.com/1970-Plymouth-Repair-Manual-Reprint/dp/B00435L23M

One's a download, and the other is a paperback

[70_440-6Cuda]

Thanks Alan, very helpful!!

[MoparLeo]

As long as you have a color printer, it is the same as the original. Reprints are seldom in color and have lighter printing. I use the downloads all the time. You look up the section, you can bookmark it. Then print the pages you need.
It is much easier to take a few pages out to the car then a big book. Also, when you are done with the pages you can either put them in a folder for future reference or toss them.
The book never gets damaged or dirty.
If you really want a printed version, look for an original FSM. Much higher quality paper, print, coloring etc... They were built for heavy use.
Try to focus your restoration on one area at a time. Easier to get things done that way instead of doing several things at once.
Document what you do for future reference. A lot of times, especially with basket cases you will sometimes take things apart several times during assembly because you don't usually know the sequence that some assemblies are put together in.
Also a picture is a permanent memory where us humans sometimes don't get things back together right away and forget some details of what we were doing.
Pictures, labels, baggies, totes. lots of light, clean area to work and store items during restoration of sub assemblies waiting to be reinstalled.
Posters of the type of car you are working on plastered on the walls for motivation are good.
Have fun and don't rush through things, do it right and you do it once...   

[70_440-6Cuda]

@MoparLeo I could not agree more!  Great tip on printing only what I need.  Thanks!!

[tparker]

I recommend the service manual and  fastener manual. I didn't get the fastener manual until late in my build since I figured $100 was excessive for IDing a couple of bolts. And I thought my memory would be better than it was. That book is a LOT more than just a bolt id book. It has LOTs of reference material and great pics.

Between those two books, this site and youtube, I got about 90% there.

[Skdmark]

Here is my go to list besides forums. Each one offers something not always found elsewhere.

Factory books
Field Service Manual set of 2 books (body and chassis) Separate Dodge and Plymouth version
Factory parts catalog set of 3 volumes - Covers all makes and models
Faxon Assembly drawing book(s) 1 Challenger and 1 Barracuda

External reference materials
MMC e-body fastener book
MMC e-body restorations and judging guidlines (I have it in about five 2 inch 3-ring binders it's that big)
Galen's pocket guides 3 books. Good for quick reference or at swap meets and car shows