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Introduction
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Market Position
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Target Audience:
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DIY mechanics, classic car enthusiasts, restoration shops, and professional service departments working on 1968 GM vehicles.
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Historical Significance:
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A vital resource for maintaining and restoring iconic vehicles from a pivotal year in automotive history.
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Competitive Analysis
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Uniqueness:
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Provides factory-level technical detail for bodywork and interior, often not covered as extensively in general repair manuals.
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Key Features
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Convenience:
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Instant PDF download, keyword searchability, and print-on-demand functionality for garage use.
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Diagnostic Aid:
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Crucial for diagnosing and fixing body-related issues that can affect vehicle performance, comfort, and aesthetics.
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Comprehensiveness:
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Considered the definitive resource for Fisher Body service, containing information beyond general repair manuals.
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Value Proposition
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Cost Savings:
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Enables significant savings on labor costs compared to dealership or professional shop rates.
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Restoration Resource:
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Indispensable for anyone undertaking a restoration project on a 1968 GM vehicle, ensuring authenticity and correct procedures.
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Manual Details
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Coverage Areas
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Primary Coverage:
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Fisher Body Service Procedures for 1968 GM Vehicles
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Specific Models Covered:
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Oldsmobile (F-85, Cutlass, 442, Vista Cruiser, Dynamic 88, Jetstar 88, Delta 88, Starfire, 98, Toronado); Buick (Special, Special Deluxe, Skylark, Skylark Custom, GS 340, GS 400, Sportwagon, LeSabre, LeSabre Custom, Wildcat, Wildcat Custom, Electra 225, Electra 225 Custom, Riviera); Pontiac (GTO, Tempest, LeMans, Grand Prix, Bonneville, Executive, Catalina, 2+2, Sprint, Firebird); Chevrolet (Nova, Camaro, Chevelle, Chevelle Malibu, Concours, Chevy II, Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala, Caprice); Cadillac (Fleetwood, Calais, DeVille, Series 75, Eldorado)
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Additional Coverage:
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Includes sections on 'Trim cleaning' and 'Roof cover', indicating a broad scope of interior and exterior finishing.
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Page Count
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Estimated Page Count:
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Likely over 1000 pages (indicated by 'HUGE book' and 18 chapters)
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Manual Type
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Type:
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Factory Service Manual (Fisher Body)
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Language
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Language:
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English
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Format
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File Format:
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PDF
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Manual Coverage
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Systems Covered
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Body Systems:
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Underbody, Stationary Glass, Front End Assembly, Doors, Rear Quarters, Rear Compartment Lid, Tailgate, Headlining, Roof Cover, Folding Top, Door and Quarter Trim, Seats, Exterior Moldings
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Interior Trim:
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Headlining, door trim panels, quarter trim panels, seats, and interior ornamentation.
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Electrical Body:
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Electrical system as it relates to body functions: interior lighting, exterior lighting (backup lamps, tail lights, marker lights), power window mechanisms (where applicable), and power locks.
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Trim And Upholstery:
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Covers interior trim cleaning, door and quarter trim panel installation/removal, and seat upholstery care and repair.
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Stationary Glass:
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Procedures for the installation, removal, and sealing of all fixed glass components, such as rear quarter windows and backlites.
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Folding Top:
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Specific procedures for the maintenance, repair, and adjustment of convertible tops and their mechanisms.
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Procedures Included
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Repair Procedures:
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Removal, Installation, Adjustment, Maintenance of body components and related systems.
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Specific Tasks:
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Back-up lamp replacement, side window glass adjustment, front window weatherstrip replacement, tailgate servicing, folding top repair.
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Adjustment Procedures:
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Detailed instructions for adjusting doors, windows, hood, trunk lid, and tailgate for proper fit and sealing.
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Installation Procedures:
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Step-by-step guides for installing new or repaired body panels, glass, trim, and interior components.
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Maintenance Procedures:
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Guidance on lubrication of moving parts, cleaning of interior and exterior trim, and general upkeep of body components.
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Adjustment Of Door Glass:
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Detailed steps for aligning side window glass within door frames for proper sealing and operation.
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Technical Depth
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Diagnostic Capability:
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Comprehensive diagnostic and repair procedures for all Fisher Body related systems, aimed at professional mechanics.
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Maintenance Scope:
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Routine maintenance, adjustments, and complete repairs for the vehicle's body structure and interior.
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Structural Repair Guidance:
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While not a frame repair manual, it covers body panel alignment and attachment, which are crucial for structural integrity and aesthetics.
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Repair Scope:
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Covers everything from minor adjustments to component replacement for the entire body structure and its interior.
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Engine Specifications
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Primary Engine
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Engine Variations Covered:
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Manual focuses on body service, but implicitly covers all engines offered in the listed 1968 GM models, as bodywork and trim interfaces with engine bays and chassis.
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Engine Context:
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Understanding the body structure's interaction with different engine compartments (e.g., firewall, engine mounts from a body perspective) is covered.
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Performance
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Engine Details:
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Specific engine displacements, horsepower, and torque figures for the 1968 model year are not the primary focus but are relevant context for body component design and fitment.
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Fuel System
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Fuel System Details:
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Fuel tank and filler neck components may be covered under underbody or rear compartment sections.
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Dimensions
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Exterior
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Body Styles:
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Covers a vast range of body styles including coupes, sedans, convertibles, hardtops, station wagons, and potentially specialized chassis (e.g., Fleetwood Series 75).
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Body Panels:
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Covers all external body panels including fenders, doors, hoods, roof panels, quarter panels, and bumpers.
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Interior
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Interior Appointments:
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Details on seat mounting, headliner installation, door panel construction, and interior trim dimensions.
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Weights
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Chassis Weight Impact:
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Body construction directly impacts vehicle weight, though specific weight figures are not a primary focus of this body manual.
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Maintenance
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Service Intervals
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Body Maintenance:
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Provides guidance on routine body maintenance such as lubrication of hinges and latches, weatherstrip care, and body panel adjustments.
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Lubrication Schedule:
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General lubrication points for body components are detailed, typically on a mileage or time-based schedule.
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Body Care:
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Recommendations for preserving the body's finish and structural integrity, including procedures for cleaning and protecting various body materials.
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Fluid Specifications
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Lubricant Recommendations:
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Likely includes specifications for lubricants used in door mechanisms, window regulators, and other moving body parts.
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Known Issues
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Common Wear Items:
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Covers common wear items like weatherstripping, door seals, window regulators, and hinge bushings, which are critical for proper body function and comfort.
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Weatherproofing:
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Addresses common issues with water leaks and drafts by detailing the proper installation and maintenance of seals and weatherstripping.
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Vehicle History
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Brand Heritage
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Gm Body Engineering:
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Represents the pinnacle of General Motors' Fisher Body division's engineering and manufacturing prowess for the 1968 model year.
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Fisher Body Legacy:
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Fisher Body was a leading automotive coachbuilder and division of GM, renowned for its innovative body designs and construction methods.
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Model Evolution
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1968 Design Trends:
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Documents body and trim designs that were part of the significant styling changes and platform updates across GM brands for 1968.
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1968 Gm Platforms:
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The manual covers multiple GM platforms (e.g., A-body, B-body, C-body, E-body, F-body) as implemented by different divisions.
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Production
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Manufacturing Locations:
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Fisher Body plants across North America were responsible for manufacturing these bodies.
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