Target Audience:
DIY mechanics, classic car enthusiasts, restoration shops, and professional service departments working on 1968 GM vehicles.
Historical Significance:
A vital resource for maintaining and restoring iconic vehicles from a pivotal year in automotive history.
Uniqueness:
Provides factory-level technical detail for bodywork and interior, often not covered as extensively in general repair manuals.
Convenience:
Instant PDF download, keyword searchability, and print-on-demand functionality for garage use.
Diagnostic Aid:
Crucial for diagnosing and fixing body-related issues that can affect vehicle performance, comfort, and aesthetics.
Comprehensiveness:
Considered the definitive resource for Fisher Body service, containing information beyond general repair manuals.
Cost Savings:
Enables significant savings on labor costs compared to dealership or professional shop rates.
Restoration Resource:
Indispensable for anyone undertaking a restoration project on a 1968 GM vehicle, ensuring authenticity and correct procedures.
Primary Coverage:
Fisher Body Service Procedures for 1968 GM Vehicles
Specific Models Covered:
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)
Additional Coverage:
Includes sections on 'Trim cleaning' and 'Roof cover', indicating a broad scope of interior and exterior finishing.
Estimated Page Count:
Likely over 1000 pages (indicated by 'HUGE book' and 18 chapters)
Type:
Factory Service Manual (Fisher Body)
Body Systems:
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
Interior Trim:
Headlining, door trim panels, quarter trim panels, seats, and interior ornamentation.
Electrical Body:
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.
Trim And Upholstery:
Covers interior trim cleaning, door and quarter trim panel installation/removal, and seat upholstery care and repair.
Stationary Glass:
Procedures for the installation, removal, and sealing of all fixed glass components, such as rear quarter windows and backlites.
Folding Top:
Specific procedures for the maintenance, repair, and adjustment of convertible tops and their mechanisms.
Repair Procedures:
Removal, Installation, Adjustment, Maintenance of body components and related systems.
Specific Tasks:
Back-up lamp replacement, side window glass adjustment, front window weatherstrip replacement, tailgate servicing, folding top repair.
Adjustment Procedures:
Detailed instructions for adjusting doors, windows, hood, trunk lid, and tailgate for proper fit and sealing.
Installation Procedures:
Step-by-step guides for installing new or repaired body panels, glass, trim, and interior components.
Maintenance Procedures:
Guidance on lubrication of moving parts, cleaning of interior and exterior trim, and general upkeep of body components.
Adjustment Of Door Glass:
Detailed steps for aligning side window glass within door frames for proper sealing and operation.
Diagnostic Capability:
Comprehensive diagnostic and repair procedures for all Fisher Body related systems, aimed at professional mechanics.
Maintenance Scope:
Routine maintenance, adjustments, and complete repairs for the vehicle's body structure and interior.
Structural Repair Guidance:
While not a frame repair manual, it covers body panel alignment and attachment, which are crucial for structural integrity and aesthetics.
Repair Scope:
Covers everything from minor adjustments to component replacement for the entire body structure and its interior.
Searchability:
Keyword searchable
Zoom Capability:
Allows zooming in and out of pages for detailed examination of diagrams and text.
Printability:
Fully printable (individual pages, chapters, or entire manual)
Recommended Binding:
3-ring binder (allows for easy replacement of soiled pages)
Digital Benefit:
Digital format offers easy navigation and the ability to quickly find specific information via search.
Ideal Printing:
Standard paper (pages can be reprinted if grease or dirt is encountered)
Operating Systems:
Compatible with all versions of Windows & Mac.
Software Requirement:
Adobe PDF Reader.
Engine Variations Covered:
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.
Engine Context:
Understanding the body structure's interaction with different engine compartments (e.g., firewall, engine mounts from a body perspective) is covered.
Engine Details:
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.
Fuel System Details:
Fuel tank and filler neck components may be covered under underbody or rear compartment sections.
Transmission Details:
Not directly covered, but transmission tunnel and shifter access for bodywork may be included.
Body Transmission Interface:
Floor pan design, shifter boot sealing, and transmission tunnel access for body repairs are implicitly covered.
Transmission Options:
Various automatic and manual transmissions were available across GM brands in 1968, influencing floor pan and console design which might be referenced.
Body Styles:
Covers a vast range of body styles including coupes, sedans, convertibles, hardtops, station wagons, and potentially specialized chassis (e.g., Fleetwood Series 75).
Body Panels:
Covers all external body panels including fenders, doors, hoods, roof panels, quarter panels, and bumpers.
Interior Appointments:
Details on seat mounting, headliner installation, door panel construction, and interior trim dimensions.
Chassis Weight Impact:
Body construction directly impacts vehicle weight, though specific weight figures are not a primary focus of this body manual.
Safety Standards 1968:
Reflects safety standards and design considerations of the era, including non-adjustable seat belts (lap belts) as standard equipment in most models.
Active Safety Components:
Focuses on the structural integrity and operational aspects of safety-related body components like doors and latches.
Passive Safety Components:
Covers aspects of the vehicle's passive safety, such as the integrity of the passenger compartment, door construction, and potentially seat mounting points.
Interior Features:
Details on the installation and adjustment of interior components related to the dashboard, console, and interior lighting.
Driver Interface:
While no modern driver assistance systems existed, this manual covers the mechanical aspects of the driver interface, such as steering column covers and pedal access panels.
Electrical Integration:
Covers the routing and access for the vehicle's electrical wiring harness within the body, facilitating repairs to lighting and accessory systems.
Body Maintenance:
Provides guidance on routine body maintenance such as lubrication of hinges and latches, weatherstrip care, and body panel adjustments.
Lubrication Schedule:
General lubrication points for body components are detailed, typically on a mileage or time-based schedule.
Body Care:
Recommendations for preserving the body's finish and structural integrity, including procedures for cleaning and protecting various body materials.
Lubricant Recommendations:
Likely includes specifications for lubricants used in door mechanisms, window regulators, and other moving body parts.
Common Wear Items:
Covers common wear items like weatherstripping, door seals, window regulators, and hinge bushings, which are critical for proper body function and comfort.
Weatherproofing:
Addresses common issues with water leaks and drafts by detailing the proper installation and maintenance of seals and weatherstripping.
Gm Body Engineering:
Represents the pinnacle of General Motors' Fisher Body division's engineering and manufacturing prowess for the 1968 model year.
Fisher Body Legacy:
Fisher Body was a leading automotive coachbuilder and division of GM, renowned for its innovative body designs and construction methods.
1968 Design Trends:
Documents body and trim designs that were part of the significant styling changes and platform updates across GM brands for 1968.
1968 Gm Platforms:
The manual covers multiple GM platforms (e.g., A-body, B-body, C-body, E-body, F-body) as implemented by different divisions.
Manufacturing Locations:
Fisher Body plants across North America were responsible for manufacturing these bodies.
