are kickdown linkages engine specific?

I picked up a kickdown linkage for my 68 sport satellitte yesterday from a friend. Linkage came off a 400 with a 727. I installed it tonight on my car and test drove and it will only hit drive at about if you get it up to about 50 mph. And as soon as you let off the gas the trans downshifts back into second. I looked at the adjustment and it looks to me like the kickdown rod is to short on the transmission end. I still have alot of travel on the kickdown lever on the trans with the throttle wide open on the carb.

Not only are they engine specific, but bodystyle specific, too.

Totally different - They went one piece kickdown around '71. With the kick-down lever on the trans pulled all the way towards the front of the car the slotted lever (pulled all the way forward) should just be touching the carb throttle stud at idle.

I know the one piece kickdown isnt right for my car but was trying to come up with something that will allow me to drive the car until I can aquire the correct one. The car and myself are supposed to be in my best friends wedding the 27th of this month.....Time and money are both running short....lol

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Totally different - They went one piece kickdown around '71. With the kick-down lever on the trans pulled all the way towards the front of the car the slotted lever (pulled all the way forward) should just be touching the carb throttle stud at idle.

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That is what that small spring is for. To hold the rear of teh KD slot forward on the throtle pins for constant progress ive throttle pressure. Number 13 in the illustration.