FAQ: Service / Shop / Repair Manual Information

Having only a Haynes manual (if one existed) for my Riviera would be similar to having a parts list and nothing else for a nuclear reactor.

garrickmc wrote:

Does anyone know if Haynes or Chilton has a book on our Cars, or I they don't how would one go about finding one.

A little detail.

There are Haynes and Chilton books containing info on *parts* of the Riv - like the N/A and S/C 3800 engines and the 4T60 and 4T65 transmissions. And there is some similarity between certain other mechanicals on the Riv and other GM cars. I like the Haynes manuals, actually. You can get some interesting insights from the Haynes for the full sized BOP (buick/oldsmobile/pontiac) late '90s cars for instance.

But' that's about it.

No kidding for your money a set of manuals off eBay or a used book seller is by far your best bet.. Even a dog-eared set, as long as there are no pages *missing* is a good buy at the right price.

Albertj

Trying get my hand dirty riv has been down too long. Does anyone have a 95 Riv repair manual or PDF?

Yes! i need one too!

Can I get one as well?

yes, i do. They are not cheap, I paid over $90 on Ebay. I did see a couple for about $60, after I bought mine of course- i could not post the link but Roth Auto Books, do the search

I bought into Alldata for this new-to-me Riv because of experience using it with other rides, but sans a Haynes Manual, I'd sure like a factory set. eBay has a 2-vol. set right now for what seems a reasonable price. Thing is, I've read here that a complete set consists of 3 volumes. Can anyone tell me how the data is broken down across the three volumes? Or perhaps that for 1995 there were only 2 books?

denim wrote:

I bought into Alldata for this new-to-me Riv because of experience using it with other rides, but sans a Haynes Manual, I'd sure like a factory set. eBay has a 2-vol. set right now for what seems a reasonable price. Thing is, I've read here that a complete set consists of 3 volumes. Can anyone tell me how the data is broken down across the three volumes? Or perhaps that for 1995 there were only 2 books?

For '95 there were only two volumes, only two until '98 I think, and then there were three. All years had a preliminary and final version, the blue set was the first version for '95 and the tan version was the final, as far as I know that would be the most desirable.

HTH

Hey Thanks.
That was my assumption, but I did not want to splurge on a short set.
I see you're an early riser also. Enjoy the day.

denim wrote:

I see you're an early riser also. Enjoy the day.

I am usually up around 0330, I slept in today, enjoy your day too

USPS delivered shop manuals for my '95 Riv today, as if from out of the past... maybe the Library of Alexandria!
Damn near peed my pants looking through them. Found a sketch of the lost ark on 6E3-C173! Suspect the answer for how to install a remote starter in a '95 Riv is stashed in thar
I'll settle for how to fix my cruise.

free shipping! Get it while it's hot!
'99 Riviera manual 3 piece set!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-99-Buick-Riviera-Oldsmobile-AURORA-service-manual-/260850097382?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item3cbbe09ce6



I just got this one!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-98-Oldsmobile-Aurora-Buick-Riviera-Service-Manual-/150656000313?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item2313cc2139#ht_500wt_1182
$44.99 shipped!

QUESTION: Guess I'm in the market for an OEM 1998 manual.
Any suggestions?
I have a 2-volume set for the '95 Riv, but suspect it is of little value for a '98.
Are CDROM manuals any good? Or should I shoot for a paper manual?
How many books compromise a set for 1998?

denim wrote:

QUESTION: Guess I'm in the market for an OEM 1998 manual.
Any suggestions?
I have a 2-volume set for the '95 Riv, but suspect it is of little value for a '98.
Are CDROM manuals any good? Or should I shoot for a paper manual?
How many books compromise a set for 1998?

3 books in the 98 Set.

Got a sub to Alldata, not terrible but not as detailed as I'd like either.

Found a set of the 1995 2nd revision (Tan cover) manuals for 34 shipped. Not too shabby.

I know this thread is old but I have a couple of questions about manuals.

First, a I see manuals on dvd for around the 20 dollar range. Are these digital manuals worth anything and if so, what name should I look for in digital manuals?

Second, I have a 1998 Riviera but I can get 3 volume set for 1999 for a good price. Is there significant differences between those year models?

Thanks

knoxbroadcaster wrote:

I know this thread is old but I have a couple of questions about manuals.

First, a I see manuals on dvd for around the 20 dollar range. Are these digital manuals worth anything and if so, what name should I look for in digital manuals?

Second, I have a 1998 Riviera but I can get 3 volume set for 1999 for a good price. Is there significant differences between those  year models?

Thanks

first -- is the digital manual a factory manual on DVD or something else?

second -- there are differences between the 98 and 99, for instance the drivers side transmission mount, the alternator, several other nagging things.

third - if you look from time to time say 1-2x/week odds are a set of 98 manuals for a fair price will pop up. Look in eBay at 'past transactions' for exactly that manual to get an idea of what price is fair.

These are descriptions from Emanualonline and Tratebit
"INSTANT DOWNLOADThis manual is compiled in digital PDF format from the Original Factory Owners Manual.It contains the exact ..."

"OFFICIALLY LICENSED SERVICE AND REPAIR MANUAL SOFTWARE FOR THE 1998 BUICK RIVIERA If you need a repair manual for your Buick ..."

Both of these are downloadable pdf for about$14, I've seen similar things on Ebay on DVD

Score one for me. I just bought a 1998 3 vol set riv/aurora shop manuals for $19.90 including shipping

That's a great deal!

Hey all,

I am planning on changing all the gaskets for a 1995 supercharged Riviera
and I need an online step by step manual for
torque specs and tightening sequences
as well any specific things to keep in mind.

What would you recommend for someone who has never worked on a 3800?

What other mechanical work have you done? Are you working in a garage? Can you afford to have the car down for a while?

I haven't done this job yet, but I've done a ton of other work on the Riv and (other cars) with only the internet to help. I have a garage to work in and often have the Riv down for 2-3 months though. Some times I'm being lazy, and other times the parts aren't as easy to get as I thought they would be. Some of our numbers have been recycled onto other parts. Sometimes info is hard to come by, and I only manage to get a vehicle running again because someone left a comment on a YouTube video and I eventually managed to find it.

Jack the R wrote:

What other mechanical work have you done?  Are you working in a garage?  Can you afford to have the car down for a while?

I haven't done this job yet, but I've done a ton of other work on the Riv and (other cars) with only the internet to help.  I have a garage to work in and often have the Riv down for 2-3 months though.  Some times I'm being lazy, and other times the parts aren't as easy to get as I thought they would be.  Some of our numbers have been recycled onto other parts.  Sometimes info is hard to come by, and I only manage to get a vehicle running again because someone left a comment on a YouTube video and I eventually managed to find it.    

I am going to be working with a friend that works as a mechanic,
But he is unfamiliar with this engine...
I have also done many things on this car, but never touched the engine before...
We will be doing the replacements in his garage...
I really just need a good online manual...
I found a great Intake manifold Stepbystep on this site?
But I have so many more gaskets to replace...