After some adjustments to the "kickdown" rod, I'm having some weird shifting issues. The trans now won't always shift into 3rd gear. Also, it won't shift from 3rd gear back to 1st at a stop. Could this be related to the "kickdown" (pressure) rod adjustment?

well that would seem to be the problem. did you adjust it correctly? check out your service manual and adjust it as per the manual.

I was just wondering if anyone has seen this specific issue with a pressure linkage adjustment. I know, on the surface, it would seem that the adjustment caused the issue...just looking for real world feedback...

Thanks.

Linkage adjustment can cause it to not shift to 3rd but linkage won't likely prevent it from downshifting at a stop.

If it hangs in 3rd at a stop but shifting to low will get 1st gear and the cycle repeats, the problem is likely a stuck shift valve or governor. The only way to know for sure is to connect a pressure gauge to the governor test port, anything over 2 psi at a stop in Drive is a governor problem. If the governor pressure is OK and it won't downshift at a stop the 2-3 shift valve is stuck.

Thanks for the feedback. I adjusted the pressure rod this morning and drove it for an hour or so today. No problems now. I'm pretty sure I had the rod too far back, causing the lever to be engaged more than it should have been at any given throttle point.

Works like a charm now!