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Basics of transmission/throttle kick down linkage?

Posted By: 67SATisfaction

Basics of transmission/throttle kick down linkage? - 06/05/20 03:44 AM

Thanks for looking, this ought to be a simple question, but my 1967 FSM hasn't solved the problem... I'm referencing Fig 14 on page 21-49.

The car is a 1967 Satellite stock 2bbl 383 with a 1971 replacement 727-B column shift transmission with partial throttle kick down.

Question I have is where to start when I adjust the slotted 'kick down' linkage bar at the carburetor that links back to the transmission's shift lever?
Or maybe the better question is - what position should the 'kick down' lever at the 1971 transmission start at, when I set up the slotted end of the kick down bar at the carburetor that I'm pointing to in the picture below?

The 1967 FSM says to start with the transmission 'kick down' lever in the Full Forward position. OK.
But when I follow the rest of the 1967 FSM instructions and drive the car, the tranny shifts right through 2nd & 3rd at really low speeds, like 35mph.
I'm thinking I've got to start with that 'kick down' shift lever positioned further back on the 1971 tranny?

The picture is the current setup. My finger is pointing to the slotted end that I'm adjusting to just barely touch the throttle pin when the carb is a hot idle. In the picture I have shortened it a little to see if it makes a difference.

What I think I have to do is adjust the linkage from the rear bell crank down to the transmission such that the transmission 'kickdown' lever starts further back when the carb is at idle.
Am I on the right track?

Thanks for input.
- Art


Attached picture QMXtfr3sSgCfPMdHxhvD2Q.jpg
Posted By: burdar

Re: Basics of transmission/throttle kick down linkage? - 06/05/20 01:05 PM

Have you seen this video? It should help. Some linkages have you insert a drill bit into some holes on the back of the pivot when you start the adjustment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY9WTWayCC8
Posted By: 67SATisfaction

Re: Basics of transmission/throttle kick down linkage? - 06/05/20 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by burdar
Have you seen this video? It should help. Some linkages have you insert a drill bit into some holes on the back of the pivot when you start the adjustment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY9WTWayCC8


Thanks, yes, that is super helpful to show how to set up a 1971 TorqueFlite. The '67 FSM uses the same approach as the 1971.. and it explains the relationship between Throttle Pressure and Governor Pressure..
In my case, I get "Early Upshift", which is low Throttle Pressure, so I think the throttle lever isn't moving enough to increase pressure as I throttle up.

Setup is simple,
- I start with the tranny throttle lever in the Full Forward position shown at the 8:55 mark on this video..
- Then skip forward to the 12:08 mark and my bell crank setup is identical and adjusted the same way: I start by using a 3/16" pin to hold the bellcrank, then adjust the Throttle Lever to the Full Forward position. Then I adjust the slotted throttle bar to just barely touch the throttle pin at curb idle.

..and this gives me 'Early Upshift'. Something else must be going on. I don't think the problem is internal to the transmission, because it shifted and behaved just fine before I switched carbs from a 4bbl to the original 2bbl. I suspect the 2bbl carb's throttle pin doesn't have enough 'range of travel' to move the tranny throttle lever enough.. I'll look for ways to increase the movement of the tranny's throttle lever.

..What I mean is; as you are driving the car and adding throttle, the linkages move the tranny throttle lever rearwards to change the Throttle Pressure within the transmission.. so if I suspect the throttle lever isn't moving enough, the pressures will be low, and I get the "Early Upshift"... maybe there are a couple holes to put the linkage into that increase the movement of the throttle lever.

I removed the return spring at the carburetor throttle pin which lets the tranny throttle lever move rearwards, just to see what happens, and I got "Late Shift" problems..

Thanks for any comments... I'll get my eyes back on the linkages and lever, and watch the video again.. see what I can figure out.
- Art


Posted By: SattyNoCar

Re: Basics of transmission/throttle kick down linkage? - 06/05/20 02:30 PM


I always adjusted mine so that the lever was all the way back at WOT.

Here's a couple of links form the Moparts Archives:

line pressure

linkage pictures
Posted By: markz528

Re: Basics of transmission/throttle kick down linkage? - 06/05/20 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by burdar
Have you seen this video? It should help. Some linkages have you insert a drill bit into some holes on the back of the pivot when you start the adjustment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY9WTWayCC8


That was very informative - thanks for sharing!
Posted By: 67SATisfaction

Re: Basics of transmission/throttle kick down linkage? - 06/05/20 04:29 PM

Success..... Thanks Burdar.. Thanks John..
It might seem simple but I have come to the realization that I am the sort who has to think "out loud" before taking action.. maybe that has come with age.

The solution was to lengthen the 'Adjustable Intermediate Rod' from the upper bell crank, so it moves the Throttle Lever rearward. This causes it to increase Throttle Pressure sooner.
I now get proper upshifts, partial throttle downshift, and WOT downshift.

You can see the 'Adjustable Intermediate Rod' at the 12:08 mark of the video, or you can notice the freshly exposed steel on the rod at the back of the bell crank in the photo below, compare it to the first photo up top... Sorry the pic is sideways, my Mac does funny things.
Cheers,
- Art






Attached picture tdK8NqF+ToetdpV0WPXHGw.jpg
Posted By: John_Kunkel

Re: Basics of transmission/throttle kick down linkage? - 06/05/20 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by 67SATisfaction

But when I follow the rest of the 1967 FSM instructions and drive the car, the tranny shifts right through 2nd & 3rd at really low speeds, like 35mph.


At what throttle setting? Your speeds might actually be high.

Attached picture 1972 Shift Speeds.PNG
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