Description

Skoda 105 S, 105 L, 120 L, 120 LE, 120 LS 1980 Workshop Manual

I’ve seen enough aftermarket manuals that skip the torque table and call it a day. If you’re wrenching on a Skoda 105 S, 105 L, 120 L, 120 LE, or 120 LS from 1980, you don’t need guesses. You need the factory print. This Workshop Manual gives you exactly that – no shortcuts, no reprints, just the original 238 pages of repair data from the Skoda engineers. Let me walk you through what’s inside and why it matters when you’ve got a carburetor off and a timing chain staring at you.

Skoda 105 S, 105 L, 120 L, 120 LE, 120 LS 1980 Workshop Manual: The Engine Section

Engine work on these rear-engine Skodas isn’t like a front-wheel-drive hatchback. You drop the whole power pack. The manual covers pulling and refitting the engine, dismantling and reassembling the cylinder block, crankshaft, flywheel, and pistons with gudgeon pins. Pages 26–84 give you the full breakdown. Valve gear timing chain adjustment – it’s all there. Fuel system goes through the carburettor and fuel pump. Aftermarket PDFs often crop the diagrams or leave out the brake test and lubrication diagram (yes, there’s a separate brake test procedure for the engine – and it matters).

Torque Specs and Tightening Procedures

Here’s where a factory manual earns its keep. The Tightening Torques of Bolts, Screws and Nuts section lists every fastener from cylinder head to steering box. I’ve seen DIY guys snap a rocker shaft bolt because they used generic values. This manual gives you the exact Nm (converted to ft-lb for your inch-pound torque wrench) for each joint. Need the crankshaft main bearing cap torque? It’s in the Engine chapter. Flywheel? Same place. Don’t trust third-party tables – they often mix up the bevel gear drive specs. This is the revised 1980 edition – the one dealers used.

Fuel System and Carburettor Service

Fuel delivery on the 120 LS and its siblings uses a mechanical pump and a single-barrel carburettor. The manual walks you through removal, overhaul, and float adjustment. Float height wrong? You’ll starve the engine at WOT. The step-by-step procedures in the Carburettor and Fuel Pump sections show exactly how to set it. No vague “adjust as necessary” – you get clearances and sequence. If you’ve ever fought a Skoda that won’t idle after a rebuild, this chapter will save your Saturday.

Does This Manual Cover Electrical and Wiring?

Yes – a full Electrical Equipment section with wiring diagrams, fuse layout, alternator and voltage regulator service. The storage battery and starting circuit are mapped. I’ve seen too many guys replace an alternator on a 120 LE when it was just a bad ground at the voltage regulator. The factory wiring diagram shows every splice. You also get the speedometer drive shaft and the heater control cable routing. For a 1980 car, that’s everything you need to trace a dead tail light or a non-working blower motor.

Check the Clutch and Power Transmission Sections

Clutch removal from the engine, friction plate inspection, and control mechanism adjustment – all straight from the assembly line. The Power transmission mechanisms chapter covers the gearbox and final drive, including differential setup and bevel gear drive. If you’re rebuilding the transaxle, the manual gives you the shim selection procedure. That’s the kind of spec you won’t find in a Chilton or Haynes – they’ll tell you “install shims as required,” which is useless. This manual lists the actual gear tooth contact patterns.

Brake System: Master Cylinder and Bleeding

Front and rear brake assemblies, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake booster – the whole system. Bleeding procedure is spelled out with proper sequence for the diagonal split circuit. Hand brake adjustment and cable routing included. Fluid specifications are given (DOT 3 or 4). If you’ve ever had a soft pedal after a brake job, it’s usually because you skipped the proper bleeding order. This manual doesn’t let you skip a step. For related models, check out the Skoda Fabia 1999 Workshop Manual – Factory Electrical & Diagnostics”>Skoda Fabia 1999 Workshop Manual – Factory Electrical & Diagnostics, the Skoda Fabia 1999 Workshop Manual – Factory Specs”>Skoda Fabia 1999 Workshop Manual – Factory Specs, and the Skoda Fabia 1999 Workshop Manual – Factory OEM Specs for 1.4L Engines”>Skoda Fabia 1999 Workshop Manual – Factory OEM Specs for 1.4L Engines for later generation service. For context on how OEM documentation standardizes repair practices across the industry, see this Automotive Industry Overview”>Automotive Industry Overview.

Q: Does this manual cover the 120 LSE?

A: Yes, it covers the 120 LSE as stated in the title.

Q: What torque specs are included?

A: The manual includes a full table of tightening torques for bolts, screws, and nuts across all major assemblies – cylinder head, flywheel, connecting rods, steering, brake components, and more. Page 73 lists the engine-specific values. This is critical because using aftermarket specs can strip threads or cause leaks. The factory data ensures you get the correct clamp load for each fastener, especially on the aluminum components. Also includes torque for the steering box mounting and rear axle half-shafts.

If you’re going to work on these old rear-engine Skodas, do it with the right information. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and keep it on your bench.