Won't shift into Drive--Help!!!!!!!

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Feb 21, 2005 | 09:20 PM

Flatbed392

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From: Easton, Pennsylvania

Won't shift into Drive--Help!!!!!!!

Hey all,
I got to drive my truck on the road yesterday for the first time in 5 years. Felt gooooood !!!
Anyway here is the problem.... It won't shift into Drive. My only theory right now it is due to the fact that I did not put in the kick-down rod because I changed from 2-barrel to 4 barrel,( Intake & carb are Edelbrock ). Could it be that not having the rod in there the tranny is staying in kick-down mode and not allowing the tranny to shift into Drive ?
The truck is a 1977 F-150 with a 351M/C-6 4X4.
Thanks in advance for any help or response.

Don

Last edited by Flatbed392; Feb 21, 2005 at 09:22 PM.

Feb 21, 2005 | 09:27 PM

FordPickup460

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Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 4,392

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From: Cab of a truck

Mine did the same thing after I pressure washed the underneath of the truck. Turns out the modulator wasnt all the way on. Also, check the tranny fluid.

Feb 21, 2005 | 09:29 PM

SwOkcOffRoader

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: okc

the kickdown is a possibility, but i too would say its the vacuum modulator or line to the tranny....i would start there and check back here......

Feb 21, 2005 | 10:31 PM

LxMan1

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Joined: Dec 2001

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From: Louisville,Ky.

Unless the kickdown rod is stuck in the pushed back towards the firewall position, it won't effect the shifting under normal driving. Make sure that the modulator valve is hooked to manifold vacuum and not ported vacuum.

Feb 21, 2005 | 11:23 PM

Phinxter

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From: Saratoga, NY

I don't have a kickdown rod on mine at all, it won't downshift from 2nd to 1st by putting the pedal to the floor but other wise it shifts ok. If I want to get it into 1st I got to do it manually once it is in 2nd.

Feb 22, 2005 | 04:36 AM

Torque1st

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Joined: Sep 2001

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Unless the kickdown lever is wedged in somewhere it has nothing to do with shifting the transmission into 3rd gear. The transmission will shift fine without the kickdown, it just will not down shift if the pedal is slammed to the floor. The vacuum line to the modulator could have cracked or even been chewed on by rodents during the last 5 years. The modulator itself could have gone bad. Pull the vacuum hose at the modulator and check for transmission fluid. If tranny fluid is present the modulator will have to be replaced. One of the worst things you can do to a vehicle is let it sit. Seals dry up and stick, wheel and engine bearings corrode, rubber rots, and the iron worms feed around the clock...

Of course you could also have a sticking valve in the valve body. Check the easy stuff first.

Feb 22, 2005 | 10:14 PM

Flatbed392

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Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 108

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From: Easton, Pennsylvania

Hey all,
Thanks for all the quick responses! Great as usual ! I did not even think of the modulator vacum line. I will check it this weekend, as right now it is at a friends house getting the rear bumper made for it.
Torque, actually it has not been just sitting, I have been working on it from time to time as money and time allowed me to. The motor, ( 351M ) is freshly rebuilt, all new brake system, complete! New radiator, gas tank, heater core, u-joints everywhere,etc. You get the picture. Just that money was not always available.But I will post some updated pics in my gallery soon. About the only thing left after I get the mechanical bugs out of it is the body work and a nice paint job.
Again, Thanks for the responses!

Don