kickdown
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 10
From: Green Springs, OH
kickdown
Did the 1977 have kickdown rods I have a C6 and a 400. My truck will kickdown a gear as long I am like 40mph and under but I have no kickdown rod on mine right now so I guess it is working by vacuum right now. I'm just wondering because I need to find one cause I dont wanna burn my tranny up prematurely.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
kickdown solution
I just spent all day trying to figure out how to make my own kickdown rod, then 5 minutes making the final version.
My tranny is a 71 C6, my truck, naturally isn't. The kickdown lever faces forward. (dotted lines in drawing) This mean you have to push down to activate the kickdown. If you don't have the correct rod, or have a new intake and carb this can be a real B!#(h. However... if you unbolt the lever and re-bolt it facing toward the rear of the truck it becomes a pull lever. Now you can run a manual type choke cable(black for jacket, grey for wire) from the lever to the correct carb linkage. On my edelbrock that is the lowest hole on the throttle bracket. Clamp the cable in two convient spots(red - bracket on back of intake and a empty trans bolt hole) and you are done. You can run it direct if your stroke lengths happen to be the same or connect to the carb to the choke cable by a spring if they don't.
My tranny is a 71 C6, my truck, naturally isn't. The kickdown lever faces forward. (dotted lines in drawing) This mean you have to push down to activate the kickdown. If you don't have the correct rod, or have a new intake and carb this can be a real B!#(h. However... if you unbolt the lever and re-bolt it facing toward the rear of the truck it becomes a pull lever. Now you can run a manual type choke cable(black for jacket, grey for wire) from the lever to the correct carb linkage. On my edelbrock that is the lowest hole on the throttle bracket. Clamp the cable in two convient spots(red - bracket on back of intake and a empty trans bolt hole) and you are done. You can run it direct if your stroke lengths happen to be the same or connect to the carb to the choke cable by a spring if they don't.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ncl
Did the 1977 have kickdown rods I have a C6 and a 400. My truck will kickdown a gear as long I am like 40mph and under but I have no kickdown rod on mine right now so I guess it is working by vacuum right now. I'm just wondering because I need to find one cause I dont wanna burn my tranny up prematurely.
Mine wont kickdown after 60mph but i have 33s w/3.50 gears, I think your's is correct if say you have stock tires and 3.50 gears or lower gears w/bigger tires.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
If you don't mind spending the $40-$50 I'd recommend a Lokar (or similar brand) kickdown cable. They really make things easier down the road if you decide to change carbs, use a carb spacer, etc.
