Assembly Manual Index

[Ackattack]

So we had a discussion a few days ago about the assembly manual and how un user friendly it is. So I'm going to make an index, but would like some help.

So the first step is to number your assembly manual. I started at 1 to 1066, labeling all of the odd numbered pages. I did this in a few nights.

Now I'm ready to start on the spreadsheet that we'll use as the index. I would like volunteers to take a few pages to catagorize. I figure 10 pages at a time would be good/easy.

Hopefully I can attach the spreadsheet as a file on here similar to a picture. Once I post the base spreadsheet hopefully the volunteers can fill in the information for thier pages, and then email me back, and I can put them all together. Hopefully we'll have a complete index in a few days.

I'll try to post up the spreadsheet later tonight.

So I'll volunteer for pages 1 - 10

[turp mcspray]

The assembly manual is rather confusing at first. The front and main part of the book consists of the common stuff that every truck has. The latter part of the book is any specific changes that must be made for a particular option. For example if you ordered a "Cheyenne" it shows all of the stuff that must be added in addition to the basic assembly. Chevy has used the same option codes forever. If you ordered A/C (c60) find c60 in the rear section of the book and it shows all of the specific changes made to install a/c. If you ordered a th400 (m40) find it and it shows changes made for it. Crossmember, wiring, kickdown, etc. Once you understand how this works, the manual will make sense and be easy to use. The more codes you know the easier it is to find your way around.

[KEL]

i'm up for it.
tell me exactly what you want me to do.

[Ackattack]

well if my internet was working at home I could upload my spreadsheet. basically just fill in the info on the spreadsheet

hopefully my internet will work tonight.

[Hammer500]

That is hilarious. I thought about doing the same thing the other night and everyone that is interested in having an index could take 10 pages. 110 members and it would be done. One person would have to be the owner and assign which pages each person is to do. I am in, just tell me which pages you would like me to do and send the spreadsheet.

[gcburdic]

This is a great idea Ack!!!....

I would say to those that volunteer in order here just call out the next set of pages...
So....Ack 1-10, KEL 11-20, Hammer500 21-30, me 31-40....(we just need to make sure we are all numbering pages the same)

Ack, get an email from all volunteers, forward them a copy of your spreadsheet....volunteers fill out your particular pages with info, email back to ackattack....

In the meantime if you want more pages....volunteer on here for more pages....

OKAY....I'll shut it for now....didn't mean to steal your thunder Ack just excited to see this come together!!!!LOL

[Todd Hepler]

I dont have an assembly manual, but I do have an idea for a collaborative spreadsheet:
Google docs

A very simple online spreadsheet that everyone can update simultaneously. We use 'em all the time at work for national projects with 0 issues.

Todd

[Ackattack]

I like the google doc. spreadsheet.

and yeah, just post up what pages you're doing like gcburdic said.

If my internet at home is working, I'll get the spread sheet up and working ASAP.

In the spread sheet I basically listed all of the pages and then a space for a discription such as "Air conditioning" or "Rearend" and then I have check blocks for the applicablility such as the year, 2wd or 4wd, and pickup, blazer, or 'burb. This will allow you to use a filter function. I guess you'll see when I get the spreadsheet posted.

[Ackattack]

Hopefully this works:

Here is the link to the file

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...sOXcwVWc&hl=en

hopefully you can save the file, add you "assigned" info, and then email it to me and I'll copy it into the spreadsheet. (I didn't allow write access)

please email me your completed portions to dba4645@hotmail.com

[Ackattack]

guess I'll also take 41-50 while I'm sitting here

[Hammer500]

are we numbering The Introduction Page as Page "1"?

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by Hammer500

are we numbering The Introduction Page as Page "1"?

yep

[KEL]

Pm sent

[Ackattack]

OK, the spread sheet has been updated with what I have so far.

Please continue volunteering for pages if you can help.

[Rack Man]

I'd volunteer except I recently removed every single page of mine...threw away what I didn't want or need and then put the individual pages into seperate files....into categories I can actually understand....Has made it way easier....

I almost paid to have the whole book scanned....then I could have organized it electronically the way I wanted to...but that never happened

Good luck...I'll be keeping on eye on this thread!

[KEL]

bump

[Twisted78SS]

bump..

As soon as I get a few spare cycles, I will grab some pages and help out.

[Ackattack]

Anyone else want to help out?

[Hammer500]

I lent out my assembly manual. I will try and get it back this weekend and some more sheets.

[sokyclassics]

What pages could I help with?

[Ackattack]

We're up to about page 100.

I used this index the other day to find the diagram on where to mount my rear view mirror.

Let me know if you'd like to log a couple pages.

[68shortstep]

I'm not an attorney, & don't REALLY know, but:

Does anybody know if this this manual is still published under an active copyright ?

If so, scanning & distributing a digital file no doubt would be a copyright violation, which is a serious matter.

If not, it should be "legal," I'd think. Would need a for-real attorney's opinion.

I don't have a copy of this manual, nor do I know where these manuals are purchased from, but if these are "out of print & out of copyright," & somebody is just photocopying an old one, re-binding & then selling them without having a copyright, then scanning one should be legal, I'd think. That's "I think." I don't "know."

I have access to a high speed sheet feeder scanner that can directly write a scan into a digital pdf file ...........

I'm not offering to, nor wanting / seeking to perform an illegal act, but I could scan a manual for free, & post it, if it really was legal to do so.

I'd have to KNOW it was legal, first.

[ETsC10]

Good comment 68shortstep.

What we are doing here is not copying the manual but creating an index of where in the
book to find specific info and matching that to page numbers.

This endeavor would probably, if anything, be considered somewhere in the fair use realm.
Same as you, I am not an attorney, so I'm just guessing.

BTW- The original manual in question is most likely still registered to GM (95 years from original
publication via the Copyright Renewal Act of 1992) unless they have transferred those
rights to someone else. Reproductions have been made by publishing companies and are
widely available for purchase online.

[Ackattack]

Yeah, not making copies, just making an index so it is more usefull.

I believe it is still in print, I got mine about a year ago

[ETsC10]

Jeeze...I'm jealous! Mines a re-pop and not such a good one at that!

I have written GM for permission to copy, for sharing with local members,
my original copy of the 1968 Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual.

I'll let everyone know if, or when, I hear back from them.



Update: I've heard back from GM, who has provided a phone number to thier
Merchandising Coordinator. Wish me luck!
.