Hi everyone!I have my eye on a 1985 GMC S15 diesel extended cab with the original Isuzu 2.2 engine. Pretty rare little truck in extended cab version. The old guy that owns it said he still uses it to go hunting and short errands. However it was wrecked a few years ago so the front part of the truck is from an S10(wether its just the shell or more than that, Im not sure). The engine runs well but he has to start it with starting fluid in the morning. But after that, it starts easy. It has the original 5 speed however it will only shift into the first four gears. My question is what is a fair price, and what do you think the problem is with the engine starting and the transmission not going into overdrive? I'm thinking the engine is probably a fairly low cost fix, but what about the transmission? Any info is much appreciated. Thanks.

gkow plugs are most likely the culprit for the no start when cold. The tranny probably has bad syncro or 5th gear is bad

I agree with faulty glow plugs as being the first thing to check. Just remember that they are 5v and if hooked to battery voltage for more than about 4 seconds can overheat and burn up (trust me).
The transmisiion is a Borg-Warner T5 and is very common. Locating another one should be very easy to do. The only difference will be internal gear ratios, as the diesel had lower first and second. I'm using one from a 4cyl gas and it works great. All mid 80's to mid 90 S10/S15 manual transmissions were B-W T5. I wouldn't bother with the old one, just use the bell housing from the diesel and bolt it onto another T5.

Well seeing as I wont be doing the work myself, is it actually not advisable to just bring it to a transmission shop? ( Especially since I'm hoping to get it for maybe $500)
Another thought is to do an engine swap(as the rest of the truck is very suspect)with another S10 of that year with a 5 speed? Trying to look at all my options here. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Swapping trucks is very possible also. It doesn't have to be that year either, as up to 1994 had the same basic chassis. Notice mine is a 1991. It was an 4.3L gasser with an automatic. I bought this truck specifically to switch it over to a diesel w/5spd. Lucky me, the automatic driveshaft fit right into the manual transmission, without any modifications at all.
If you plan on keeping it far a while, and the current truck is "iffy", then use something you know will last for a while.
My guess is the most complicated part of the swap will be the wiring, and that really isn't hard for someone that is good at it. I used the stock wiring harness and used just the wires I needed.
I have a big, long-winded <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" /> post here somewhere on the whole thing.

I hope this helps. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

mdp, if you don't end up getting the truck let me know as I may be interested in it (depending on location). That's a good truck not worth sending to the junkyard at all.

The truck's in Louisiana, and it appears he wont sell it.

Noticed you have an Isuzu Trooper diesel. I just bought an '89 S10 with an '87 Trooper c223T, and I was curious if you knew what was the HP & torque ratings are on that particular engine. Thanks.

Hey mdp, that's unfortunate about the S15 diesel. Right when you said it I knew exactly what truck you were talking about in the 1989 S10 you bought. Is the truck a white shortbed and did you buy it in Ohio? Reason I ask is a saw the very same truck you bought on EbayMotors a good week or two ago and remember it like yesterday. Did you get to talk with the seller a lot about it? Happen to know if the 87 Trooper he got the C223-T out of is still available? I still could use some parts for my 86 and if he still knows if it's accessible I'd like to know. Feel free to join www.isuzupup.com as it's a great forum for diesel knowledge on these C223/C223-T engines in LUVs, PUPs, S10/S15s, and anything else one decides to put into a vehicle. I actually posted a thread over there while that truck was on Ebay for the members to see if they didn't find it in their search results. If I remember correctly the truck exceeded $4,000 no problem and it did go for a lot of money. It was a sweet truck though as far as condition and most everything else. Did you ask the seller (previous owner) if the C223-T was a bolt-in on the frame and what gas engine did it come with from the factory (4 banger or V6)? Thanks for your reply.

Salvy

Well as I know little about conversions, not sure if it's a bolt on or not and it really didn't matter to me, but it was the 2.5 originally. As for the original trooper, next time I talk to him I'll ask.

Regarding the cold start problem. Could be a number of things: 1) Glow plugs, 2) Glow plug fuse, 3) Bad valves, 4) Engine compression to low.