So, I'm setting up my new Lokar throttle and kickdown cable setup.

I am reading conflicting information on whether the kickdown lever on the transmission should be completely forward at idle. Some guys put light return springs on them to hold them forward at idle. This is also how the 1971 factory service training says to set the rods.

However, I am also ready different information (Hot Rod, A&A) that says the lever should NOT be fully forward at idle.

Soooo.....any ideas, thoughts opinions?

I would follow the FSM instructions.

I've always heard that you want the shaft to move immediately with any throttle movement so yes, you want it all the way forward.

Is this Locar or stock?

OK, here's my standard Lokar speech:

The problem with the Lokar is that it's generic even when advertised to fit a Mopar because of the different lengths of the transmission lever.

You need to measure the full travel of the carb lever where the cable attaches and then measure the full travel of the transmission lever where the cable attaches; it usually won't be the same so you need to drill a new hole in the transmission lever so that the full travel of both levers is the same. Also, there should be a spring pulling the transmission lever forward.

It isn't necessary for the trans lever to be full back at WOT but be sure that WOT under the hood is the same as WOT at the pedal...misadjusted throttle linkage will prevent the carb from going wide open when the pedal is matted and that, in turn, will prevent the trans lever from going back enough to provide kickdown.

Remove the cable from the carb and measure how far the hole in the throttle lever moves from idle to WOT. Then measure how far the hole in the trans lever moves from full forward to full back. The movement of the trans lever will likely be more than the carb lever so find the spot on the trans lever that matches the travel of the carb lever and drill there.

It's unlikely that the trans lever will return to the full forward position without a spring assist.

For the THROTTLE PRESSURE LINKAGE (not kickdown linkage) on my 69 440 Charger, I modified a TV cable and lever off of a 5.2/5.9 Magnum. Works flawlessly, cost me $8, and a thousand times better than the stupid 3-piece garbage that came on these cars. Much cleaner too and can be adjusted in 10 seconds if need be

I think the Stock and Lokar setup only moves the KD lever rearward and allows slack in the linkage when at idle.
When I received my Lokar kickdown, the cable sheath was too long to work correctly, so I had to remove the inner cable and cut the outer sheath shorter to get the correct amount of movement in the cable.

I need to look at that the next time we meet!

Sure thing Bob! It's definitely the way to go

Very helpful information.
Thanks for this John.
There was a question about this on another site.
I hope you don't mind I shared your wisdom there.
Also put it into my data base for my own use.

So to summarize the answer to the original question (I am installing the Lokar unit myself), this is what I gathered from all of the replies above.

1. Use the special Mopar tool or a spring to keep light forward pressure on the kick down lever and adjust the cable at the throttle end with no slack at idle.

2. Ensure that when the kick-down linkage is in the WOT position, is does not limit/bind the throttle plates from reaching the WOT position. If it does, drill a new hole in the kick-down lever.

Did I get this right, or did I miss a step?
thanks
Vic

i am NOT a fan of the lokar setup. with that said, the step you need to take is to duplicate the brackets in material that is at least twice as thick and add gussets to them so they do not bend in use. re-do the carb mounting bracket so it stays in proper position. the "grub screw" they use to keep the bracket in its proper position is almost impossible to keep tight even with locktite. i have worked on/tried to adjust/keep properly adjusted over a dozen of these setups over the years, and all but one guy switched back to the factory linkage. the cable used is worse than bicycle brake cable when it comes to stretching. this deal may work on GM transmissions, but i have had absolutely no luck at all on torqueflights. others may say they have used it on applications when space was a premium and it worked out, but if it were me and i needed something like that, i would look at a late model A500 or A518 setup that used a cable linkage and use it instead of that lokar deal. just my experiences. i would spend my $100 bill elsewhere.

Well I already bought it. I wanted know if there were any tips beyond the OEM instructions (like the tips John _Kunkel was mentioning, I wanted to make sure I got it right).

There are a dozen threads on this board on the shortcomings of the Lokar setup. John Kunkel is the resident expert on TF transmissions. I take what he says as gospel. Having read all of those threads in the past, I will never buy a Lokar. Just my opinion.
It is not like they are the only solution.
For some it is too late and I do not want to rankle those who have bought them. I only post this to emphasize there are alternatives.
Craig

John Kunkel is the resident expert on TF transmissions.

Just out of curiosity, why do so many people insist on calling it "kickdown linkage"? It obviously controls so much more, such as line pressure, upshift points and firmness, and downshift points, etc. I just don't understand it. We're not running TH350s around here.

Here's my 5.2/5.9 Magnum TV cable that replaced my clunky 3-piece throttle pressure linkage setup. Just had to make a small bracket for the arm of the carb, and weld it to the throttle cable bracket. Also used the Magnum TV lever and mounted the cable to the factory ear on the 727, just as it was on the 46RE it came off of

and if a cable TPL[kickdown] is desired or wanted, THIS is the setup to use ! toss the others in the trash [or swap meet pile] where they belong.

I got rid of the 1-piece or 3-piece TP linkage setup on every car I've ever had. I've been using the Magnum TV cable setup on everything since the late 90s. It's the only way to go. I agree though, put the Lokar stuff in the trash where it belongs

Monkey hear, monkey repeat. On many brand x's the linkage/cable is only used to force a downshift (kickdown) so the unknowing assume it's the same on Mopars.

I shouln't complain, that thinking brought me a lot of business.