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can someone explain kickdown? #356966
06/24/09 07:05 PM
06/24/09 07:05 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,037
hi
sharpie Offline OP
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sharpie  Offline OP
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hi
I know how to adjust it, but I don't know what adjusting it each way does, or what, in essence, the kickdown is. I've heard that it knocks down the transmission gears when 'passing' or at full-throttle, but does anyone have a more clear and accurate explanation? Thanks!

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: sharpie] #356967
06/24/09 07:13 PM
06/24/09 07:13 PM
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Glendale, AZ
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69L78Nova Offline
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Its not a kickdown. Thats Chevy nonsense talk. It controls line pressure, shift points, shift firmness, and downshifting


1969 Nova
454/M21/3.31
Mild mid-11 second weekend cruiser

1994 F150 XLT Super Cab 2WD
5.0/4R70W/3.55
(Daily driver)
Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: 69L78Nova] #356968
06/24/09 07:16 PM
06/24/09 07:16 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,037
hi
sharpie Offline OP
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sharpie  Offline OP
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hi
Okay, so whatever it's called, can you explain it? Like what an adjustment either forward or back would do?

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: sharpie] #356969
06/24/09 07:22 PM
06/24/09 07:22 PM
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Posts: 3,857
Oregon
hooziewhatsit Offline
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Oregon
If the kickdown rod is too short, you'll be in third by the time you hit 5mph (IOW, the shift points will be low) In that case, lengthen the KD rod.

If the KD rod is too long, the shifts will come at very high rpms, and may not downshift correctly when you slow down. In this case, shorten it.

Then the ratio of the lever on the transmission also comes into play, but I don't know as much about that.

-Dave


If you ever find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.
Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: hooziewhatsit] #356970
06/24/09 07:32 PM
06/24/09 07:32 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,295
dark side of the moon
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Dougsmopars Offline
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General rule of thumb is hold throttle wide open. adjust kick down rod till it only has a slight bit of play left at wide open throttle. And by the way it is called a kick down. Thats not chevy garble it's what is is

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: hooziewhatsit] #356971
06/24/09 07:33 PM
06/24/09 07:33 PM
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Posts: 5,270
Missouri
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MY340 Offline
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Missouri
I made my kickdown rod at the carb adjustable by used a $1.59 5/16"-18 turnabuckle from Lowes. I got a free rod from a Moparts member but it wasn't for an A-body. I cut a section out on each end and welded the LH & RH threads to each end. With the turnbuckle I can now fine tune the rod length with out removing it. It has LH & RH nuts to lock it in place. One RH nut is all it actually needs for locking it down.

I'll post a pic of the setup when I get back in town and put it on the motor.


1970 FE5 Duster 360/904/3.91's SOLD 1973 TB3 SpaceDuster 340/4spd/4.10's SOLD Moparless for now but when the opportunity is right I'll have another one.
Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: Dougsmopars] #356972
06/24/09 07:56 PM
06/24/09 07:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,907
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR Offline
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Quote:

General rule of thumb is hold throttle wide open. adjust kick down rod till it only has a slight bit of play left at wide open throttle. And by the way it is called a kick down. Thats not chevy garble it's what is is




No , according to my 1969 FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL its called THROTTLE LINKAGE, section 21 pg 54. It is called KICKDOWN because it can cause the transmission to downshift when you open the throttle quickly.

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: JohnRR] #356973
06/24/09 08:10 PM
06/24/09 08:10 PM
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Lost and Spaced
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bboogieart Offline
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Lost and Spaced
Quote:

Quote:

General rule of thumb is hold throttle wide open. adjust kick down rod till it only has a slight bit of play left at wide open throttle. And by the way it is called a kick down. Thats not chevy garble it's what is is




No , according to my 1969 FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL its called THROTTLE LINKAGE, section 21 pg 54. It is called KICKDOWN because it can cause the transmission to downshift when you open the throttle quickly.



doesn't the throttle linkage control the throttle and kick down linkage control the kickdown lever on the transmission?

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: bboogieart] #356974
06/24/09 08:19 PM
06/24/09 08:19 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,037
hi
sharpie Offline OP
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sharpie  Offline OP
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hi
nevermind. I'll ask somewhere where there are less nitpickers of the identifying term Thanks for the people who actually helped explain the adjustments.

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: sharpie] #356975
06/24/09 08:27 PM
06/24/09 08:27 PM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,247
Alabama
BigMoneyLewis Offline
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Alabama
OK , Here is the deal . It is a transmission kick down linkage. What it does is enable your 3 speed automatic transmission to down shift from 3rd to 2nd when you are passing someone. Also known as "passing gear "By droping down one gear, you have alot more torque/power available for passing . You should adjust this linkage so it only kicks down when you have the "metal to the pedal and the thing to the floor" as Sally Field once said . If you are already going too fast, you won't kick down at all.

Greg

Wards Classic Car Radio Repair Specializing in restoration and sales of Mopar A B E body radios
We can restore YOUR radio usually in less than 14 days
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Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: bboogieart] #356976
06/24/09 09:05 PM
06/24/09 09:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,907
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR Offline
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Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

General rule of thumb is hold throttle wide open. adjust kick down rod till it only has a slight bit of play left at wide open throttle. And by the way it is called a kick down. Thats not chevy garble it's what is is




No , according to my 1969 FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL its called THROTTLE LINKAGE, section 21 pg 54. It is called KICKDOWN because it can cause the transmission to downshift when you open the throttle quickly.



doesn't the throttle linkage control the throttle and kick down linkage control the kickdown lever on the transmission?




I looked in the FSM , typed out all the terms used and what actuates what and then said screw it ... DELETE ... it's the kickdown linkage ...

more dumbing down of amerika as requested .


Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: JohnRR] #356977
06/24/09 10:15 PM
06/24/09 10:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
3
383man Offline
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Balt. Md
Some people call it kickdown rod and some call it throttle pressure rod. Dont matter what you call it as it actually controlls what they call "throttle pressure" in the trans and since the throttle pressure is also sent to the pressure regulator it has some control over line pressure also.
To put is in simple terms the rod moves as you step on the gas and the more it moves the more throttle pressure is built up inside the trans. As you give it more throttle pressure it will raise the shift points and vice versa. It works like this.....the trans has shift valves in it that will move from side to side to control upshifts by sending fluid to the right clutch pack or band to make it shift. Now it is an automatic trans as it shifts automaticly. It does that by having the trans pump create line pressure that is sent to a valve that regulates pressure by the output shaft speed called govenor pressure and it also has another pressure called throttle pressure that is controlled by the throttle valve in the trans that is connected to the trans throttle linkage (kickdown). The trans basically shifts by having govenor and throttle pressures work on both sides of the shift valves. Govenor pressure is on one side of the shift valve trying to push the valve over to one side as speed increases to make the trans shift. The other side of the shift valve has throttle pressure that raises as the gas pedal is pushed. When you go fast enough that the gov press overcomes the throttle press it moves the shift valve over shifting the trans. Now if you step on the gas a very small amount the throttle press is low and it wont take much speed to shift the trans. But when you push the gas pedal down far the throttle press is higher and you need more road speed to get the gov press high enough to overcome the throttle press to shift. Thats why if you hit the gas hard the trans shifts at a much faster speed. Now when driving along at say 30 mph in third gear (727 trans) if you floor it the throttle pressure goes very high and it will overcome gov press and push the shift valve the other direction and cause the trans to downshift. Hence the term kickdown came about as it will cause the trans to kickdown to the next lower gear. Make sense ? Ron

Last edited by 383man; 06/24/09 10:17 PM.
Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: sharpie] #356978
06/24/09 11:13 PM
06/24/09 11:13 PM
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UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
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NITROUSN Offline
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Quote:

I know how to adjust it, but I don't know what adjusting it each way does




Now thats funny.

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: 383man] #356979
06/24/09 11:18 PM
06/24/09 11:18 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
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Lincoln Nebraska
Quote:

Some people call it kickdown rod and some call it throttle pressure rod. Dont matter what you call it as it actually controlls what they call "throttle pressure" in the trans and since the throttle pressure is also sent to the pressure regulator it has some control over line pressure also.
To put is in simple terms the rod moves as you step on the gas and the more it moves the more throttle pressure is built up inside the trans. As you give it more throttle pressure it will raise the shift points and vice versa. It works like this.....the trans has shift valves in it that will move from side to side to control upshifts by sending fluid to the right clutch pack or band to make it shift. Now it is an automatic trans as it shifts automaticly. It does that by having the trans pump create line pressure that is sent to a valve that regulates pressure by the output shaft speed called govenor pressure and it also has another pressure called throttle pressure that is controlled by the throttle valve in the trans that is connected to the trans throttle linkage (kickdown). The trans basically shifts by having govenor and throttle pressures work on both sides of the shift valves. Govenor pressure is on one side of the shift valve trying to push the valve over to one side as speed increases to make the trans shift. The other side of the shift valve has throttle pressure that raises as the gas pedal is pushed. When you go fast enough that the gov press overcomes the throttle press it moves the shift valve over shifting the trans. Now if you step on the gas a very small amount the throttle press is low and it wont take much speed to shift the trans. But when you push the gas pedal down far the throttle press is higher and you need more road speed to get the gov press high enough to overcome the throttle press to shift. Thats why if you hit the gas hard the trans shifts at a much faster speed. Now when driving along at say 30 mph in third gear (727 trans) if you floor it the throttle pressure goes very high and it will overcome gov press and push the shift valve the other direction and cause the trans to downshift. Hence the term kickdown came about as it will cause the trans to kickdown to the next lower gear. Make sense ? Ron


From the tone of this thread I did not know what to expect but that was a very informative synopsis


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: NITROUSN] #356980
06/25/09 12:43 AM
06/25/09 12:43 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,037
hi
sharpie Offline OP
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sharpie  Offline OP
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hi
Quote:

Quote:

I know how to adjust it, but I don't know what adjusting it each way does




Now thats funny.




I know it sounded funny. What I meant was that I know where to make the adjustments, I just don't know what it does when I move it, say, farther toward the rear, or farther to the front of the car.

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: sharpie] #356981
06/25/09 04:46 AM
06/25/09 04:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 541
chatham, Ilinois
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fox Offline
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chatham, Ilinois
Why don't we start a new term for it?

How about "SHIFT CONTROL ROD".

It controls up-shifts too, not just down shifts.

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: fox] #356982
06/25/09 08:28 AM
06/25/09 08:28 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
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scratchnfotraction Offline
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Florida
use a low band apply manual valve body and dump the linkage adjusting crap

if it is "NOT" adjusted correctly,it will have you doing the tranny swap monkey dance

moving the lever on the tranny towards the rear,move shift points and throttle presssure higher


Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: sharpie] #356983
06/25/09 09:13 AM
06/25/09 09:13 AM
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Posts: 15,478
the boonies
aarcuda Offline
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Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I know how to adjust it, but I don't know what adjusting it each way does




Now thats funny.




I know it sounded funny. What I meant was that I know where to make the adjustments, I just don't know what it does when I move it, say, farther toward the rear, or farther to the front of the car.




moving the lever back towards the rear of the trans makes it shift at higher rpms.

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: fox] #356984
06/25/09 10:54 AM
06/25/09 10:54 AM
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Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
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minivan Offline
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Eugene, Oregon
Quote:

Why don't we start a new term for it?

How about "SHIFT CONTROL ROD".

It controls up-shifts too, not just down shifts.




Lets make it simple.. Lets call it Posi

Re: can someone explain kickdown? [Re: sharpie] #356985
06/25/09 02:37 PM
06/25/09 02:37 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,601
Hatfield,Pa.
bigD Offline
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Hatfield,Pa.
Sharpie,what style linkage do you have? Is is aftermarket(lokar),1 piece factory non-adjustable or the 3 piece factory adjustable style. If its the three piece style there should be a hole in the pivot bracket and the pivot lever(bellcrank?)at the rear of the manifold.Disconnect the kickdown rod from the carb,line up the holes in the bracket/lever( use a drill bit or whatever fits)Then adjust the kick down to hook back up with the carb.If its too short adjust the other sections as needed to compensate. This should get you in the ballpark,D.


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