1986 GMC S-15

chilliwak

Expedition Leader
Wow:Wow1:sorry to see that old Camaro go Andrew. But at last you have a motor you can build for your truck. I am looking forward to following your progress. Cheers, Chilli...:)
 

Cent

Observer
To be honest, I don't have the technical knowledge to understand everything you do but I love to follow your thread, anyway :sombrero:

Great writing and an absolutely beautiful truck!
 

1stDeuce

Explorer
Given the visible cross hatch with the miles the car had on it, I wonder if that motor was rebuilt at some point... Even if it wasn't, a fresh set of bearings and rings and you're off to the races!! I hope mine looks that good when I pull it apart...

Not bad for only fishing a few hours! I like that you're using a canoe for flotation on thin ice. :)
 

Andrew_S

Observer
Thanks for the good words guys.

1stdeuce, it really didn't sound like it had ever been opened up prior to this. The 1st owner absolutely babied the car and the second owner loved it too. I think it's just a matter of good maintenance. I wish the main bearing were in better shape. Hoping not to have to get the crank ground ($150)


I've got some updating to do in here but I'm just way to busy with finals at the moment.

I will just drop this real quick. I did not anticipate seeing this truck in BC anytime soon. A turn of events allowed me to get it here last week though.

37868322945_308a49978a_c.jpg
[/url]

Beyond stoked to have my '84 out here. I'll post a proper update in a week or two when finals are over.
 

Andrew_S

Observer
^Thanks guys, I thought it would be a couple years before I was able to move the '84 out here.


Ok so now to catch up,

I stripped the block right down.

Mains weren't great looking,

38537386976_d456865550_c.jpg


So of course the crank is questionable. I'll have to wait and see what the machine shop says. Really hoping they can polish it out and I don't need to get it reground.

38537384896_b51640c583_c.jpg



Cam definitely looked like it had 285k on it,
38594556771_9584e897e3_c.jpg


Better shot of the cylinder walls. Still impressed with how good of shape the block is in " knocks on wood"

38537385766_f64233b2de_c.jpg



The previous owner ran a bunch of that stop leak rad crap through it though. I have to say I've heard horror stories about it but after seeing it first hand I would absolutely never use those products. The water jackets were over half filled up in the entire block with a brown slurry. I'm amazed it didn't overheat when it was running. The entire bottom half of the block saw absolutely no flow at all.
24722291728_8015318303_c.jpg



Did some more ice fishing,

38638690362_6b0327d1e0_c.jpg


24798241078_8320b5bec1_c.jpg


Another 20+ fish afternoon.
37783108025_49a871cf17_c.jpg




In an effort to blow all that brown slurry out of the block I brought it to work and blew it out in the washbay.

26894651519_8160c6864a_c.jpg


26894650459_587efb2db8_c.jpg


It did the trick for sure. Cleaned out 99% or better.

38638689172_37b11f8c24_c.jpg


37783104835_2d8128aec2_c.jpg


Meanwhile my old man was packing up my other truck to get it shipped out here.
He had that thing packed to the gills including the interior when it left.

24881989988_aa7823dcc8_b.jpg


My buddies rig who hauled it out here for me,

He left Kingston Ontario Friday night
26894651379_fe5e7f281f_b.jpg


Couple more pics along the way,

26979158419_a474b333d1_c.jpg


23890144877_7429e937d7_c.jpg


He arrived in Kelowna on Monday night. It worked out great.

23890148697_c4acbbb9ef_b.jpg


We changed the oil in his truck and gave it a much needed pressure wash. His 2500 is dropped like 10/8. We had to drive it up on blocks just to get the jack under it. Even sitting on 3" of wood it still looks super low.

38038515034_e458ca675b_c.jpg


The '84 was not shiny,
38038523414_1afeed63cc_c.jpg


23890146377_863924b2a8_c.jpg


I managed to find him this '73 alfa as a backhaul to calgary, so went and picked it up.

24881990918_2e88c229f7_c.jpg


All cleaned up

26979154639_f697e66bec_c.jpg


38754989901_e431ef465e_c.jpg


37868319905_b5743e9648_c.jpg
 

Andrew_S

Observer
Anyhow back on topic,

with the '84 came a few parts for the 3.4 block.

Edelbrock intake,

23890144327_301ed78ee0_c.jpg


I've been gradually building up a shopping cart as I think of things I need. Hoping to have this placed in the next month or two.

37902962855_f5bdb3afa2_z.jpg


37903246975_3eb8bb744e_o.png



We managed to find some time to go out and explore a couple new lakes. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the all terrains did in the deeper snow. Didn't have to chain up or air down at all.

38788278261_2af71a6a22_c.jpg


38788279651_801685c7ab_c.jpg


First time on this lake and Nicole nailed a nice brookie in 30 seconds. After that it was game on. Well over 30 fish in a couple hours.

37902552865_9cba821f61_c.jpg


38757932482_ac83c35fc8_c.jpg



The long box w/canopy is so useful.

38788429361_dcd86832b0_c.jpg


Currently in the bed

winch w/ 2 milk crates of recovery gear, shovels, chainsaw, 6 Sets of tire chains, 2 light duty and 4 for heavies, spare clothes, all our winter gear, paddles, net, frabill ice sled, auger, rods, tackle box cooler, and on and on. With tons of space for more stuff. I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to a short box.
38072058104_58b646bf8d_c.jpg



Next update will be after finals. Hopefully with some progress/machining on the block and lots more ice fishing.
 

GabAlmighty

Observer
Ya I miss my 8' box that I had on my Cummins, never had to think about what could or couldn't be put in it... Now that I have my ram with the crew cab I have the shortest bed possible, and I put a big Knaack box in the back, I barely even have a pick up anymore haha.
 

1stDeuce

Explorer
Wait, your shopping list says flexplate... The S15 is an auto? Don't know how I missed that...

I see you're not planning to bore it out any. Given how nice the cyls look, I wouldn't either, just give it a light hone so the new rings will seat. That'll save some coin for sure!!
I'm sure they'll be able to polish that crank no problem. The bearings are supposed to wear before the crank, and I don't see any deep grooving... If it mic's out in spec, and not a bit undersize, I'd opt for a standard replacement oil pump... HV pumps work well when there's extra clearance, like in a worn engine, or when the crank polishes out a bit undersize, but on an engine that doesn't have extra clearance, you're just bypassing more oil, which is pretty pointless...

That cam should work great with the auto! I'm amazed how much torque the 3.4L has right off idle, but it runs out of breath at about 4k.

I drove the Comanche yesterday for the first time in a while. The 3.4l is pretty nice in that little truck. I think you'll be pleased with yours!

Does your '86 S15 make a bit of gear noise in low range? I always forget that the early NP207's had straight cut low range planetary gears... The Comanche makes a ton of gear noise in low, and I kinda like it... :)

Good luck with finals!!!
 

chilliwak

Expedition Leader
Wow:Wow1:Andrew that is one whole swack of cool pics. Glad to see your spare motor is looking good and soon ready to roll. I hope your finals go well and i look forward to seeing more updates. Cheers, chilli...:)
 

Bushcoat

one trail at a time
Man that 2500! And with the camper too, I almost would have paid money to see that roll through Thunder Bay! Do you know any details on the drop or tire size?
 

Andrew_S

Observer
^^ Thanks Chilli, just wrote the last one this morning, so stoked to have it done.

Bushcoat, sorry I don't know the exact specs. The entire rear end has been custom built, w/ a notch and bags. The front t-bars are rekeyed and there's some other wizardry going on under there. The truck sits maybe 3" off the ground? I believe he is running smaller than stock fronts but full size rears.

Wait, your shopping list says flexplate... The S15 is an auto? Don't know how I missed that...

I see you're not planning to bore it out any. Given how nice the cyls look, I wouldn't either, just give it a light hone so the new rings will seat. That'll save some coin for sure!!
I'm sure they'll be able to polish that crank no problem. The bearings are supposed to wear before the crank, and I don't see any deep grooving... If it mic's out in spec, and not a bit undersize, I'd opt for a standard replacement oil pump... HV pumps work well when there's extra clearance, like in a worn engine, or when the crank polishes out a bit undersize, but on an engine that doesn't have extra clearance, you're just bypassing more oil, which is pretty pointless...

That cam should work great with the auto! I'm amazed how much torque the 3.4L has right off idle, but it runs out of breath at about 4k.

I drove the Comanche yesterday for the first time in a while. The 3.4l is pretty nice in that little truck. I think you'll be pleased with yours!

Does your '86 S15 make a bit of gear noise in low range? I always forget that the early NP207's had straight cut low range planetary gears... The Comanche makes a ton of gear noise in low, and I kinda like it... :)

Good luck with finals!!!

Yeah it's an auto. I was really hoping to find a truck with the T5 in it but just couldn't find one that wasn't bagged.
I've got to take it to a machine shop and see what they say about the condition of the block. As far as I can tell it looks ok but I'm really just not educated enough to say for sure. I plan on replacing the pistons as the old ones have a decent bit of skirt wear. So if it has to be bored or not, aside from the machining cost that should be it. That's good to hear you think that about the crank. It's got some lines but nothing crazy. I'll see what they say at the machine shop about it as well.

I appreciate the input on the high volume pump. I've been reading a number of build threads and a lot of guys tend to go that route but what you are saying makes a lot of sense. I'll definitely reconsider it as that $100ish could be better spent in other places.

I've heard that about the 3.4's around 4ish k they really start to starve for oxygen. I'll be running an edelbrock intake and have been thinking about doing the 4.3 tb swap as well. With those two things the top end shouldn't be an issue as much. This truck/motor will very seldom see anything passed 3500 rpm regardless.

Yeah it totally whines in 4lo. I had no idea about the straight cut gears, that's good to know. I always was hesitant to beat on it in 4lo to much as I was always afraid that noise was not a good one!


We managed to get out last weekend and grab a christmas tree.

37911710125_d00916bbac_c.jpg


Welp finals are done, so happy. Managed to get out ice fishing a few times in between studying.

I am always amazed with how beautiful this time of year is.

38160644135_3570bd390f_c.jpg


About 20 rainbows on the ice in 2ish hours, what a blast. Lost a couple big ones at the hole as well.
38331777614_23e85a4770_c.jpg


27022587089_3bcc71255c_c.jpg


Going to be eating fresh fish all winter and spring if we keep up like this,

38161458165_b3e1efdd7f_c.jpg



Some of you guys may find this gross but I find it fascinating. When I clean a fish I always check it's stomach contents. This brookie had everything it in but the kitchen sink.

38330861334_dcca9f48bc_c.jpg
 

1stDeuce

Explorer
Wow, I never thought about leeches in the winter... Evidently they're still out there! Lots of small crayfish too, and one biggun...??
 

Smileyshaun

Observer
This has been one of the most enjoyable build threads I've read way more travel and adventure then actual building and bolting on of parts . I've never tried ice fishing but it looks fun and I think I may try it this year .
 

Forum statistics

Threads
185,531
Messages
2,875,589
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top