Dear Forum Members,

I have an 84 F150 with an AOD transmission and a rebuilt 302 where someone has replaced the TV cable with a kickdown rod. I think this is because when they rebuilt the engine, they installed a Holley 4 barrel that may not have worked with the cable, and they removed most of the vacuum systems from the truck. I believe they used a Mercury 302 engine in the rebuild. How many types of kickdown rod are there for carburated Fords of the late 70's and early 80's, and where would you recommend I shop for one?

There is a homemade spring-loaded return mechamism for the kickdown rod, which is another sign this was never a factory arrangement.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Rob C.

 

That kickdown rod isn't just a kickdown road. It's the rod that regulates the fluid pressure in the transmission via the position of the throttle valve.

If the throttle valve rod or cable isn't adjusted right, your AOD will burn up in short order.

 

I don't know for sure about the 1984 models with the AOD transmission, but the 1981
models with a 302 and AOD had a rod for the TV adjustment. The stock 2bbl carb has
a special hookup and adjustment for this rod. As 1983F1503004X4 said, if the rod or
cable is not adjusted correctly, you will ruin the AOD in very short order.

You need to get someone who knows these trucks and the AOD trans. to help you to
get the new carb and rod hooked up and adjusted correctly or you will have big
problems. It can be done but requires special parts installed along with some
expertise to make it work right.

 

Guys,

I want to thank both of you for the really good information about the tp rod. I really appreciate you telling me how critical the tp rod is, and the consequences of not having it adjusted. I owe you both a six-pack for your expertise.

Many Thanks,

Rob

 

The Throttle Valve rod (not *kickdown* rod) you have is stock. My 1985 F150 had one as well. The 1980 - 1986 model trucks with an AOD used a TV rod to control the transmission line pressure. Ford later replaced the TV rod with a TV cable in 1987 when they started exclusively using electronic fuel injection with the AOD. Both the TV rod and the TV cable is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT as it directly controls the line pressure in the AOD. If the line pressure is not set correctly or if the TV rod (or cable) is not connected to the carburetor correctly, it will burn up the transmission.

And if the geometry between the TV rod is not exactly proportionate to the movement of the throttle, the TV rod will get pulled out of adjustment. And when that happens, the line pressure is off again. This condition will burn up the transmission.

Like Old Hickory said, the stock Ford Motorcraft 2bbl carb your truck originally came with had a special AOD linkage hookup and adjustment for the TV rod. All aftermarket carburetors do NOT!!! For trucks that came with a C6, the stock carburetor had an entirely different *kickdown* linkage. Some aftermarket carburetors have the correct linkage to hook up a *kickdown* rod, but NOT for the TV rod. Yes, the TV rod looks identical to the kickdown rod, and it will physically line up and fit, but it is NOT the same. If you do this, your AOD will work for a while, but the internal clutches in the AOD will slip too much and it will not last long.

In other words, if you are using any carburetor other than a 1980 - 1985 Ford Motorcraft 2V with the AOD linkage with your stock TV rod, it is NOT hooked up correctly!!!

The problem with the aftermarket Holley and Edelbrock carburetors is that they do not have the correct linkage that will work with the AOD TV rod, and their throttle levers are not symmetrical to use a TV cable.

To correct the first problem, you will need to get a Lokar TV cable to replace the TV rod:

Lokar KD2AODHT - Lokar Stainless Steel Hi-Tech Kickdown Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

To correct the second problem, you will need to get a TV corrector bracket that bolts on to your Holley carburetor throttle lever. If you don't use this bracket, the TV cable will get pulled out of adjustment every time you drive it. Out of adjustment AOD = burned up AOD.

TCI Auto 376715 - TCI TV Cable Bracket Corrector Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

I would like to see pictures of what you have.

 

Lariat 85,

What an amazingly helpful summary of information and recommendations. Thank you! I am really in your debt on this one.

I have attached pictures of my tv rod and the hookup to the carburator. My transmission guy wasn't sure the cable would have a lever to hook up to the AOD, but I told him I thought we would be OK.

I have taken pictures but I can't figure out how to post them here. I have them as .jpg images.

Many, many, thanks,

Rob C.

 

Dear Forum,

Here are some pics of the right side of my carburator, showing TV rod and carburator.

-Rob C.

 

Looks like someone cut the TV rod and welded more metal in to make it longer.

Where does the TV rod connect on the carburetor itself? Is it in that top hole on the throttle lever?

 

Lariat 85,

Thanks again for the reply and your help. I think you are right about the lengthening of the rod. There is a stud prodtruding from the carburetor that the tv rod is attached to. It looks like the stud is original to the Holley carb., but as you pointed out, it is in the wrong place for correct geometry of the rod/arm. I have ordered the parts you suggested, and summit has assured me that they are the right ones, so I am going to try your suggestions to the letter, as they are by far the best plan I have seen to tackle my problem. I really owe you a case of beer on this one.

Any other thoughts you have I would like to hear.

Many Thanks,

Rob C.

 

Call up most any vendor with money in your teeth and they'll tell you/assure you of most anything you want to hear....

 

That may well be the case, but it lined up with what forum members and a friend who is a mechanic said. Confidence is high - just like before a space launch. NOTHING could go wrong.

-Rob C.

 

You may also go to Holleys website and see if they have the proper throttle conversion kit for your truck. They may even have a recommendation for what parts are necessary.

 

Holley Performance Product Search <---- I did not find any cables or help to get to one. but I am looking for the cable or just the end kit help used to have @autozone. don't know if other store had it(the little plastic end with a metal circle to clamp on the cable itself. The plastic piece clipped over throttle lever post with the cable through the middle) of course I AM LOOKING FOR FUEL INJECTION version THROTTLE BODY type. 302 AOD combo' 1985 F-150 . called ford after big fail with general part stores and they tell me DISCONTINUED !! I hope someone here has it in their power to fix this' with advice or something beyond 2 hose clamps together. ha another idea for it; a cable looped so it can still have the tiny free play.. well, looking forward to replies... (smog check due 5/31/2013 fun also)

 

Lokar Performance Products Upgrade Fitting Photo 14

this little gem with a no name look (lokar) is what I need and the "kickdown end stop" anyone have a link or a local parts store with this ? (crazy has not yet begun)

here is a link with one on a carb. http://www.network54.com/Forum/26073...uestion+thread