I'm preparing to install a C4 tranny behind the inline 6(300) in my 1975 F100. It has a Carter single barrell carb. The tranny I took out was a 3-speed standard. I've got all the parts and direction I need re the flexplate, starter, shifter, etc. The only thing I haven't quite figured yet is the kickdown. The rod is with the tranny but it was mounted on a 302 with a 2-barrel so of course it's the wrong set up for a single barrell (where the throttle cable is across the engine rather than from front to back). I am pretty handy and can weld, etc., so I have no hesitation about fabricating a kick-down setup based on diagrams I've seen in manuals. The only thing I'm unsure of is the adjustment. I know that on the tranny end the kickdown lever should be in full open position with the throttle full open (with a small amount of clearance to make sure the kickdown doesn't prevent the throttle from going wide-open. But, what about at the other end? Does the kickdown begin activation as soon as the throttle starts to open? Or is there some gap there? Any advice much appreciated.

 

OK, after tracking down a couple good sources, I think I understand this now. As I understand it, the kickdown will only start activate near the end of the throttle range anyway, so I can just set it up accordingly. Sorry for posting what is likely a needless question.

 

The kickdown does exactly what it sounds like, 'kicks down' the transmission. When you floor it, the tranny drops down to accelerate quicker. That all it does. So you just need to adjust how much throttle it takes to kick down.

 

Thanks man. Makes sense. The couple old Fords I've owned have had standard shift, so I have very little experience with this stuff. One thing I did note is that the kickdown mechanism on the tranny (the little bolt that the lever attaches to) is somehow spring-loaded so you can turn it counter-clockwise and then when you let go it returns to the full clock-wise position. Is this full-clockwise position where it is when at full kick-down?

 

That I am not sure of.