Manual Hard Copy.

[Spool]

73' C20 Here.

Looking to pick up a hard copy of the manual. Found a few but wanted to make sure it's the right one for a 73' 350 Fleetside 3/4ton C20.

I found this one : http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/chevrolet,1973,c20+pickup,5.7l+350cid+v8,1031836,literature,owners+manual,909

But there is also a Heavy Duty and Medium duty version, like this : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1973-Chevrolet-Heavy-Duty-Truck-Service-Manual-Chevy/361914709740?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41668%26meid%3D5955c6cbf6704f4ead4c03c13c143319%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Des%26sd%3D262862971896

Does anybody know which would have came with the manufacturer on a 350?

Thanks guys.

[bd]

What exactly are you seeking?  The link you posted to Rock Auto connects to an Owner's manual that would have shipped with a new vehicle.  It is not a repair manual. 

The manual you linked on eBay is for Class 6 through Class 8 heavy trucks.  It has no information on C20's or any light duty trucks.

For an OEM factory manual, search for one similar to that found in our Technical Forum (i.e., 1973 Light Duty Truck Service Manual) such as this one found on eBay... 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-Chevy-Chevrolet-Service-manual-Light-Duty-Truck/262862971896?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41376%26meid%3D879dbcfacc0c4df391eacaa3614841e0%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D361914709740

IIRC, the 1973 service manual is not all inclusive, so the wiring diagram manual is a separate publication.

Helm, Inc. (the OEM publisher) still has new vintage manuals available for sale, but only for 1981 and newer model trucks.

[Spool]

I had thought obtaining the original owners manual would be most effective in familiarizing myself with every part of the truck.

But it sounds like a repair manual would be more informative for that aim. Is that correct?

If so, I would be seeking a Light Duty Truck Service Manual that you linked in?

[bd]

An owner's manual and service repair manual have distinctly different purposes - overlapping information between the two is slight.  To familiarize yourself with various aspects of the truck (e.g., tire pressure, service intervals, recommended fluids, capacities, fuses, using the factory jack, etc) use the owner's manual.  For mechanical repair procedures, use the service manual.

[VileZambonie]

Just download the service manual here http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=30115.0

[Dr_Snooz]

Download the *.pdf version, then print it off on your printer, 3-hole punch it and put it in a binder. If you're serious about using a paper manual, you're going to get grease on pages, tear them, etc. When you wreck a page, you can simply replace it by printing a new one from the *.pdf. The worst part about a printed and bound manual is that every time you take your hand off it, it flops closed. Very irritating.

[LTZ C20]

it actually wouldn't be a bad idea to just get both and Owner's and Service Manual. That way you have the Owner's for reasons like what BD said and the repair in the event you need to fix something and decide to tackle the problem yourself. I own both for my truck and have used them on numerous occasions. it would be the smart thing to do, especially with such an old vehicle. All the info you can get the better.

[Pearlmoto]

You can usually find original manuals for not much money on ebay.

I got mine for the 86 for around $15:




I also purchased the light duty service manual as well as the supplement unit service manual, which tells you how to rebuild major components outside of the vehicle.  They're factory GM so the pair set me back about $100:

[LTZ C20]

I know I paid less than $100 for both my Owner's and Service Manuals, which I bought from 2 different independent places, no where near or around the same time as each other. So they can be found for cheap. I actually ended up getting 2 copies for the Owner's manual for my 02 2500 Silverado as well. Both are complete and include the covers and are original GM pieces. One I got is lightly worn but in GOOD condition and overall cared for, the other is in brand new EXCELLENT condition. I also got a warranty supplement with one and a quick reference guide and tire warranty supplement with the other.

So finding what you need is possible.

[Spool]

Thanks guys.

Call me old fashioned but I never was all that thrilled about digital/kindle reading.

Cheapest I could print 900+ pages was $60, so I'll go with the $20 used version via amazon.

Thanks again. Hopefully this book will allow me to start asking less entry level questions on the board.

[Irish_Alley]

i got too many trucks for real owners manuals