Hey Scotty, I have an automatic 1988 GMC Sierra SLX with a 305 engine that's got 312xxx miles according to the odometer and a 700R4 transmission I got for $600 a year ago. Only code I can get out of it is 12, and from my understanding that means "OBDI Scanner plugged in".
So I got it in a pinch, drove it for a few hundred miles, then it developed a bad coolant leak that turned out to be a freeze plug. Fixed that, put "K-seal" in it before taking it for a test drive, and away I went. Half way back, the truck starts overheating and instead of pulling over I kept on driving to my parents' house where I had been working on it. Won't do more than 25mph on the road. I get it to their driveway and the radiator exploded.
So I towed it back, put a new radiator in it, and ever since, it wouldn't go more than a thousand feet without dying. I had a veteran buddy of mine take a look at it and he said that whoever had it before me broke off a torque converter bolt head and tried to drill it off center, he said that was the issue.
I was wondering if you'd be able to help me figure it out? I gotta get it running.
Where I live, they are getting $83 per ton for scrap metal.
It could be in limp mode since you seed it wouldn't go more than 25 mph. Honestly, it might be time to start considering getting rid of the truck. It lived a very long life, and I'm guessing that its worth almost nothing now. It can be tough choice sometimes but I don't think its worth it for you to put a ton of money in it. Even if you did fix this issue (which sounds expensive), other things are probably on their last few legs as well. Better off to buy another used truck than to keep throwing money into the bottomless pit IMO. All the best.
I have a friend whose son gave me a 94 Silverado with a 350 in it, said it ran fine about a year ago. It had been parked on his property by his father in law who left it there, bought a new truck, then died not too long ago. He said he used to start it up every month and it'd run fine till he just got busy and quit starting it up.
If I were to put that engine in it and put the new torque converter in the transmission, what are the odds of that making it roadworthy again?
I think your buddy is mistaken. One torque converter bolt hole is intentionally elongated to allow for adjustment. Not that it would cause overheating. Anyway, once your radiator explodes that's it. Engine is done. It has to be torn down and rebuilt. If you're lucky it's just a head gasket.
@mountainmanjoe
I had the feeling that was the idea. If I were to put a 350 from a 94 Silverado in it, what would I have to do to make sure it goes smoothly (assuming the one I have runs) other than bolting everything back up? This'd be my first engine swap.
that sounds like too big of a difference in years. The computer, sensors, and harness will be different.
@mountainmanjoe
The wiring harness and computer are intact (sensors also, I'm pretty sure) on the other truck too.
So I hauled the other truck over there. Getting a cherry picker and going to get working on it tomorrow. I was told it was plug n play with this, engine, ECU, and wiring harness just need swapped and boom, golden. Any advice on getting it to run smoothly (what would need to be replaced to make it work with the truck and 700R4 transmission) would be appreciated. One distinction is it's a two wheel drive truck and mine's 4 wheel drive.
@mikeseverance
transmission tailshaft on 4x4 is different. wheel speed sensor may be in different place.
@mountainmanjoe
I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks.