1986 GMC S-15
- Thread starter Andrew_S
- Start date
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.
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.
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Beyond stoked to have my '84 out here. I'll post a proper update in a week or two when finals are over.
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.
Beyond stoked to have my '84 out here. I'll post a proper update in a week or two when finals are over.
BlueLantern
New member
That is such a beautiful picture :drool:
Keep up the great work on those amazing trucks
Keep up the great work on those amazing trucks
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,
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.
Cam definitely looked like it had 285k on it,
Better shot of the cylinder walls. Still impressed with how good of shape the block is in " knocks on wood"
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.
Did some more ice fishing,
Another 20+ fish afternoon.
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.
It did the trick for sure. Cleaned out 99% or better.
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.
My buddies rig who hauled it out here for me,
He left Kingston Ontario Friday night
Couple more pics along the way,
He arrived in Kelowna on Monday night. It worked out great.
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.
The '84 was not shiny,
I managed to find him this '73 alfa as a backhaul to calgary, so went and picked it up.
All cleaned up
Ok so now to catch up,
I stripped the block right down.
Mains weren't great looking,
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.
Cam definitely looked like it had 285k on it,
Better shot of the cylinder walls. Still impressed with how good of shape the block is in " knocks on wood"
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.
Did some more ice fishing,
Another 20+ fish afternoon.
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.
It did the trick for sure. Cleaned out 99% or better.
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.
My buddies rig who hauled it out here for me,
He left Kingston Ontario Friday night
Couple more pics along the way,
He arrived in Kelowna on Monday night. It worked out great.
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.
The '84 was not shiny,
I managed to find him this '73 alfa as a backhaul to calgary, so went and picked it up.
All cleaned up
Andrew_S
Observer
Anyhow back on topic,
with the '84 came a few parts for the 3.4 block.
Edelbrock intake,
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.
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.
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.
The long box w/canopy is so useful.
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.
Next update will be after finals. Hopefully with some progress/machining on the block and lots more ice fishing.
with the '84 came a few parts for the 3.4 block.
Edelbrock intake,
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.
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.
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.
The long box w/canopy is so useful.
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.
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!!!
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
About 20 rainbows on the ice in 2ish hours, what a blast. Lost a couple big ones at the hole as well.
Going to be eating fresh fish all winter and spring if we keep up like this,
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.
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.
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.
About 20 rainbows on the ice in 2ish hours, what a blast. Lost a couple big ones at the hole as well.
Going to be eating fresh fish all winter and spring if we keep up like this,
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.
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 .