Owner's manual discrepancies

[sdebaker]

My Spider title lists 1977 as the model year. The manufacturing date on the door-jamb plate is 2/77. The car is US, non-California. I have a 1977 owner's manual. There are many differences between illustrations and specs in the manual and my car.

My engine has a mechanical fuel pump. Manual specifies electric.
Relay panel is under glove box. manual shows relays in engine bay.
My engine's air pump is mounted low on right side, driven by plain belt. Manual shows mounting high on right side, driven by toothed belt.
Timing-belt cover is different from manual (due to air pump).
Alternator is on left side. Manual shows right (where my air pump is located).
Brake fluid reservoir is different form manual.
No hole in door to lube latch as shown in manual.
Etc.

Why so many differences?

Now, I don't trust other specs in the owner's manual. Should I trust them?

[seabeelt]

Generic Italian translations.... Sometimes the words don't match the pictures..... Try Rosetta Stone Just kidding, mine is the same way and my sons 79 has an 80 manual

[TX82FIAT]

Yep, the owners manual is more to stick in the trunk if you show your car and a basic point of reference. Changes made on the factory floor do not always make it to the manual. I had a moment of frustration when i realized some of the factory wiring does not match the awesome and specific wiring diagrams I have for the car.

[bobplyler]

Mine has two copies of many pages. And the correct pages missing. I figured the Italians couldn'r read english, or just didn't care.