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I have a 1980 ford f150. There is a steel line that runs from my 4bbl carter afb carb's throttle to my transmission that has come disconnected. It came disconnected by the transmission it looks like it needs some kind of clip or a cotter pin or some thing. I was also wondering what this thing does, because when you push on the gas pedal it pushes down on the cable which is acting like a throttle on the transmission. Thank-you (I have no clue what this is but I cant afford a mechanic right now someone please help)!
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
This is called the kickdown. It's what makes your transmission drop a gear when you're on the highway and you punch the gas to pass someone, for example. There's a lever on the transmission shifter linkage that the kickdown rod connects to.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
This was done a variety of ways on a variety of trucks. I know this isn't much help, but the best answer I can give you is to get under there and see what's missing. The trouble is, if someone has swapped on a Carter AFB on yours, it may not have provisions to connect the factory kickdown rod to your throttle linkage without a kit. This is an issue with a variety of carburetor swaps. Is yours connected to the carburetor, just not connected to the transmission? It might have been disconnected there because it was binding. Usually they're left disconnected at the throttle linkage.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
If I recall correctly, my '79 with a C6 had the kickdown connected with some sort of C-clip. I could be wrong though. Is there a hole at the end of the rod? If so, it probably slips over a rod and is held on with a clip.
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It is disconnected at the transmission. I am pretty sure that it was connected when I had first bought the truck because it accelerates like crap now. And I had not fooled with it.
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
Hi Dave, I went out to look at the C6 in my '79 and the downshift lever on the side of the transmission (that the rod connects to) has a peg on the end which the kickdown rod is supposed to slip over, and secured with a clip. What do you have on your transmission?
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
Dave - I spent some time looking for the clip in the garage and I couldn't find it for some reason. I tried looking for it in my Grainger catalog so I could tell you the name, but I don't see it. If my memory serves me correctly, I think it's the same type of clip that holds windshield wiper arms to the wiper motor - the kind that you have to pry up and then push to remove. I don't think a hairpin cotter pin or an E-clip would be strong enough. This might be a good question for NumberDummy; he could probably tell you the exact name.
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Ok, Huh, get this,... I took the spring off of my door stopper and it twisted right on the the end of the rod in the groove. This will only be a temporary fix though. I am thinking about going to the local junk yard this weekend and getting several of these clips. Thanks!