Which book(s) should I start with?

I'd like to buy a few books that cover the basics of what I need to know about building an RV. I'm learning a lot reading from this forum and various build logs, but one aspect is still a complete mystery to me : firewall forward. I have basic knowledge of car maintenance but that's where it ends .

Are any good books or other resources (video?) available detailing firewall-forward components, their interactions, etc?

Any other book suggestions that have or would have helped you are also very much welcome!

Go to the EAA bookstore and get Firewall Forward and On Engines. Actually, all four books by Tony Bingelis are a good resource. Also, Kitplane Construction by Ron Wanttaja is a good general reference to the whole process; you can find a copy on Amazon.

I second the Bingeslis books. Many hours of reading pleasure in those books.

Two great books

Jean-Phillipe,
Get a copy of the FAA Advisory Circular 43-13-1b. You can buy a paper version or down load it for free (in sections) at the link below. AC 43-13-1b is the "bible" on accepted practices. AC 43-13-2b is also useful. See

http://tinyurl.com/e5kdf

http://tinyurl.com/cj2j5k

For your electrical system, you need to buy Bob Nuckoll's excellent book THE AEROELECTRIC CONNECTION. You can buy it here.

https://matronics.com/aeroelectric/Catalog/AECcatalog.html

Bob is constantly updating this book with new info. Once you buy the book, you can download the updates for free.

Charlie Kuss

Lycomings

Key Reprints is very affordable and informing for all Lycoming operators.

AWM

great source of info

get a copy of the " 27 years of the rvator " from vans, also many hours of enjoyable reading !

All of the above mentioned books are great...

...but no home-builder's library would be complete without a copy of "Sky Ranch Engineering Manual" by John Schwaner.

Books are great but ...

When I need the crack the books I will (I'm very good at "book learn'n" when I need to be) but IMHO you're not going to learn how to build a plan from books or from Vans preview plans.

When I first start thinking about building an RV and got my first set of preview plans I was overwhelmed - both by what was in the plans and by what was NOT in the plans. In fact, a one point I decided it was more then I could do. I don't think a person can really get their head around what's involved in building a plane until you start doing it.

However, once you get started you learn as you go. As you get into each aspect of the build you focus on that system or sub-system. For example, I did a lot of the FWF electrical way before I did the engine.

So my advice is - if you want to build a plane just get started. For real novices (like me), one of the intro building classes will really help. Your going to learn more than you can imagine - you learn what you need to know along the way.