LOOKING FOR OPINIONS!! HELP!!! 1985 K1500 SILVERADO

[kfoz]

I'M THINKING OF BUYING THIS TRUCK.

1985 K1500 SHORT BOX
51000 ORIG. MILES
FRESH 350(ONLY 5,000 MILES)(CONVERTED FROM ORIG. DIESEL) AUTO TRANS(ORIGINAL)
EXCELLENT REPAINT
HAD HALF DOLLAR SIZED RUST HOLE BUT THATS IT(REPLACED WHOLE CAB CORNER)
VERY NICE INTERIOR
ELEC. WINDOWS & LOCKS
CRUISE, TILT WHEEL
EXCELLENT RALLYES WITH NEW BF GOODRICH TIRES
WARN LOCKING HUBS
I WISH I HAD PICTURES FOR YOU ALL.
THIS IS A VERY NICE RUST FREE ARKANSAS TRUCK THAT HAS NOT BEEN CUT UP
I CAN BUY IT FOR $4,500

ALSO, WOULD THIS ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION BE SET UP DIFFERENT FOR THE ORIGINAL DIESEL ENGINE? IT HAS NEVER BEEN REBUILT BUT HAS VERY HIGH SHIFT POINTS!

PLEASE ADVISE AND THANKS VERY MUCH MEMBERS!

[red4wd]

That sounds like a good deal...is the truck already in Rockford or is it still here in Arkansas?  Do you have pictures you can post? 

[kfoz]

The truck is here in Rockford already. I'm just not sure what to do. I have a 2004 F-250 with only 42000 miles and plow with it. I'd rather have this old Chevy with the short box to plow with. I want to make the switch but need to sell this FORD! I can't help it, I like ALL trucks!  Do you know anything about my DIESEL transmission question?  THANKS MUCH!

[DnStClr]

The diesel engine should have lasted a lot longer than 51000 miles.. I might be wrong, but I think it would have had a TH400 3 speed tranny with it. The shortbed diesels are rare and I wish I had one. Unfortunately many guys pulled the 6.2 diesel out and replaced it with a 350 gas engine because they expected the diesel to act like a gas engine and be a speed demon. Since it was naturally aspirated (no turbo) it lacked the power that today's diesels have. But was still a good engine. Oh nuts I'm going too far with this-- 
 Buy the truck and join us, 

[kfoz]

I GUESS THE TRUCK SAT IN A FARM YARD FROM 86  OR 87 TILL 2004 OR SO.  ANYWHO, IS THAT DIESEL TRANS. BUILT A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN A GAS ENGINE TRANS?? LIKE I HAD SAID, THE SHIFT POINTS ARE KINDA HIGH! 2ND GEAR AT 30-35 MPH! IT SHIFTS SOLID BUT TAKES A BIT TO GET THERE!

[HAULIN IT]

Kfoz, Sounds like a good one! I would expect the shift points to be lower due to the diesel. The trans is the original 700 & claimed not to be worked on, Correct? I would be suspect the TV cable first, however most of the shift problems I've personally run into with the TV were a quick, almost a skip shift problem. I would also look at the governor for being stuck. Good Luck, Lorne

[Captkaos]

The stall converter on the diesel will be different, otherwise the trans will be the same.

[kfoz]

Capt,

Do you think that could be why it shifts into 2nd at about 30-35MPH instead of say 15-20MPH?  AND will it be an issue?

Thanks very much, kfoz

[kfoz]

Lorne,

TV CABLE??? Please advise as to what that is besides what I need to watch Law & Order SVU.  LOL!

thanks very much for everyones help and opinions!

kfoz

[HAULIN IT]

Kfoz, Boy, maybe I should have not spoke so soon. I didn't realize that it would have a TH400, no TV cable on that one. Maybe look for a vacuum leak going to the modulator? Did the diesel's have one? Goin' to school on the diesel thing here. To all, does the 6.2 diesel bell housing bolt up directly to the small Chevy? Did all 6.2's have either a stick or TH400 then? That would have to be a nice setup - TH400/208, They did have the 208 case, Correct? I have little knowledge of the diesels. Sorry to lead you astray! Lorne

[kfoz]

Lorne, this transmission is  a 4 speed auto I believe, so I assume it's a 700R4(overdrive trans)

kfoz

[VileZambonie]

Readjust the TV cable. (Throttle Valve cable) The TV cable is what controls TV pressure in the trans. TV pressure is derived from main line pressure which is created by the regulated pump pressure. TV pressure rises with driver demand. Opposing TV pressure is Governor pressure. Governer pressure is proportional to road speed. With me this far?

So TV pressure VS Governor pressure. If TV pressure is higher than Governor pressure it will force a downshift or delay an upshift. Once Governer pressure is higher it will force an upshift.

Try pushing in the tab on the TV cable and pulling the plunger outward away from the firewall one click and see how it shifts.

[kfoz]

Please advise me as to where this TV cable is. I am only familiar with TH400's! AND is the fact that this is a trans that was originally mated to a 6.2 diesel matter?? The stahl is different with the diesel vs. gas engine isn't it?

Thanks very much yet again members!

kfoz

[VileZambonie]

The TV cable is right next to the throttle cable. If you use the search function you'll probably find 49576987458967495 other posts on this. There is also a How to in the tech section

[DnStClr]

The overdrive tranny and the 3 speed TH400 (has a modulator) were both available in the 1/2 tons with the 6.2 L diesel and both trannies bolt up to the engine.  I was wrong when I suggested that your tranny was probably a TH400. They were more commonly installed in the 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks.
The overdrive tranny really gave the diesel great fuel mileage. 20-22mpg . We should all drive diesels. Ha ha. (flame suit zipped up)