I noticed that my OD doesnt kick in until 55mph and the other gears seem to shift hard...so I adjusted the cable so now it kicks in OD at about 48mph and the first 3 gears are smooth.

I noticed on the adjustment tutorial that you are supposed to have it in 3rd while driving and to adjust it until kickdown is at 45.....so is it supposed to kick into 3rd at 45 or OD at 45

 

Most OD's I have driven kick into OD at about 45. I don't know what procedure you are using, but of course if you have the shift lever in 3rd, it's never going to go into OD. Most of the procedures tell you to loosen the cable sheath lock, open the throttle wide open(engine off of course) and then lock the cable sheath.

Be careful and make sure it's correct. Shifting a little harsh is better than too soft. And the factory is usually going to set it so it shifts early to pass epa mileage requirements. They want it in OD as quickly as possible.

 

I have a rod not a cable....I screwed the nut at the top of the rod by the carburetor 13 turns in.....adjusted the rod at the transmission side so the adjustment was in the middle of the rod...back the nut by the carb 13 turns out...then adjusted it until I got the od to kick in at 48-50 as opposed to 55.

 

You need to have it adjusted so that full throttle is full pressure on the TV valve. When it goes into OD depends on how hard your foot is in it.

Too little pressure, or too much pressure, and you will ruin the trans fairly quickly.

 

How do I do that? Seems to shift nice after the adjustment but I want it to be right....

 

I don't want to sound rude, but if you don't know what your doing, then you shouldn't mess with it. The adjustment is critical to the life of the transmission.

But, it is achieved by holding the throttle wide open, and adjusting the linkages to have the TV lever at maximum travel as well. Now in theory, this should also mean that when at idle, there is no pressure on the TV lever.

Minor adjustments either way from there are OK. But it needs to be as close to that as possible.

 

You're not being rude. It's just not something I have dealt with before...
you can't know something before you learn it. I have never brought a vehicle to a mechanic in my life...I always figure out how to fix everything by asking other people or researching online.

 

You're the definition of a gear head! That's the way to do it. Research it, do it, learn it. That's the best way to gain knowledge.

So, go get that tranny adjusted! Haha

 

This link might help..........BEC TV Linkage Adjustment Info

 

Shift points are determined by how much throttle you have. If you are driving slower, the shift points will come earlier. If you are driving faster, the shift points will come later and the AOD will shift quicker.

At moderate throttle, you should feel a positive shift from 1st to 2nd gear. 2nd to 3rd will always be a little bit softer, and 3rd to overdrive will be a little soft as well.

If you don't have a pressure gauge, here is a test you can do to see if your TV pressure is correct. Drive your vehicle so that RPMs stay at 1500 RPM, and observe your shift point speeds. If you have a 5.0/302 engine with 3.55 gears, this is where your AOD *should* shift:

1 - 2 = 15 MPH
2 - 3 = 25 MPH
3 - 4 = 45 MPH

If your AOD shifts earlier or later than that, you should adjust the TV rod until it matches the above shift points. If TV pressure is too low, the AOD will shift early with very soft, lazy shifts. This is bad for the transmission. If TV pressure is too high, the AOD will shift later and harsher and overdrive will either not come in all or you will have to let off the gas completely for it to engage. It will usually "clunk" into overdrive if the pressure is too high.

When you have the shift points correct, here is another test. Drive the truck normally, and as soon as you feel the AOD shift into 2nd gear, FLOOR the gas pedal. Your AOD *should* immediately downshift to first gear. Next, with the transmission in "D", floor the gas pedal when your truck reaches 45 MPH. Your AOD *should* immediately downshift to 2nd gear.

If your truck passes all of these tests, your TV rod (or TV cable) is adjusted correctly.

Capiche?

 

Thanks for all that. I guess Ill go buy a tachometer and see where shes at.

 

Awesome info guys! My AOD on my 86 efi F150 had harsh shifts and wouldn't go into OD until about 55. It would go in at 45 but you had to left off gas. I adjusted the TV cable and it shifts like a new truck. Also this guys video helped a lot

 

Wait so if that’s how early it’s supposed to shift, then have I been shifting too late? I’ve been shifting at these points for over a year. 20-25MPH 2nd Gear
40-45MPH 3rd Gear and OD at 55MPH

 

Depends. Do you have 3.55 gears and 29" tires?

4.11s and 35s?

3.08s and 31s?


If it feels good, it's probably fine

 

The speeds I listed above is only when the RPM is kept at a low 1500 RPM.

For normal driving, those shift points sound about right. The AOD shifts into overdrive when you ease off the accelerator pedal at speeds over 45 MPH. So If you are driving normally in a 45 MPH speed zone, the AOD should shift into overdrive at about 45 MPH.

If it doesn't, or if it CLUNKS into overdrive, your TV pressure is too high.