instructions to repair vs. instructions for repairing

[navi tasan]

1) We had instructions to repair the engines.
2) We had instructions for repairing the engines.

I think those sentences mean two entirely different things.

I think in #1 we have been instructed (told, ordered) to repair the engines, while in #2 we have instructions as to how to repair the engines (we didn't have to repair them, but we had the necessary information as how to do it).

Is that correct?

 

[Tarheel]

I think you have it exactly right. However, it's unlikely that they would have been assigned that job if they didn't already know how to do it. Therefore, the first one is more likely.