727 kickdown adjustment

i am having a problem with my factory kickdown adjustment on a 727 bb trans. the car shifts from first to second gear but not third. if i disconnect the kickdown lever from the carb and shift it manually it will go into third. do i need to lengthen or shorten the linkage? believe it or not in 26 years and lots of cars i have never owned a car with a factory kickdown setup, most of my cars were 4 speeds or full race automatics, so any help would be appreciated.

If you have the 3 peice linkage here is how you adjust it. Step 1. remove the rod from pivot point that goies down to tranny. Get a drill bit. you'll see a hole in your pivot bracket. insert the drill bit through the bracket and pivot arm to lock it. Now adjust that lower rod that you took off the pivot earlier. adjust it so it will snap back on the pivit with out any downward pressure, in it's natural position. Step 2. remove the drill bit. Move throttle to wide open position. adjust the rod from throttle stud to pivot so you have apro 1/8 play. You don't want to jamb the rod down tight. At wide open throttle you should be able to push that rod aprox another 1/8 inch. Hook your return spring back up and go for a ride. If it shifts a tad to late adjust it for more end play. On the 3 peice set up that lower rod needs to be adjusted to get correct geomotry. Thats why you start with the drill bit in pivot. Thats why those holes are there.

Quote:

---

do i need to lengthen or shorten the linkage?

---

shorten it a fair amt & see if that lets it hit 3rd & if so you are on the right path then go ahead and adj it correctly