Kick Down Linkage

[Chuck Lutz]

One of the first items (and there are a lot of first items) I want to tackle is the fact that, while my car runs good and strong, it doesn't kick down when the accelerator is pressed to the floor. I'm not sure if this is a simple adjustment or a sign of something deeper in the transmission. Anyone dealt with this before?

[Don Henschel]

Give this a try, may be a bit complicated to some, but is the proper setting. This is for 1956, & don't know how much this will vary for 57.
http://www.markiiforum.com/showthread.php?t=153

Just tried to upload a scan of the linkage adjustment but unsuccessful. Will retry later.

[MKII]

My car had the same problem. The downshift happens when the accelerator is floored, via a rod that goes from the carburator to the transmission. This rod has adjustment via a clevis pin on the top of the rod, near the carburator. If this linkage is is too 'loose', no downshift will take place. If it is too 'tight', the car will shift very harshly and will have a hard time going into third. What I did was, via trial and error, adjust it, by giving it one turn each time. When you start getting problems, back out one or half a turn. It's really surprising how sensitive it is. One turn over what it is supposed to be and it won't work fine any more.

Worked for me... though I still have to check with the table that Barry posted.

Victor

[Mad Scientist]

This is a very critical adjustment from what I have gathered, and no two cars are likely to have the same adjustment.

I expect to learn more about this shortly.

[Nick DeSpirito]

Are you ready for a maiden voyage yet? We need pictures! :D

[Chuck Lutz]

Well, I started that adjustment process tonite. I turned the clevis one turn (making the rod longer to the trans) and tried it. No difference. Came back made 2 turns in the same direction. Still no kick down but the car was knocking when I punched it. I came back and backed the 2 to 1 and not much changed. Finally, I put it back to where I found it. More study :).

[Mad Scientist]

I turned the clevis one turn No difference.


Make this adjustment with someone holding the accelerator to the floor. (Preferably without the engine running. :eek: ) Set the control rod to the transmission so that it goes all the way down, then back of a couple turns so it will not be forced onto its stop. This should be a good starting point.

[Mad Scientist]

Are you ready for a maiden voyage yet? We need pictures! :D

Not quite there yet, but getting close.:)
Have to fix an oil pan leak.:mad:

[Chuck Lutz]

Make this adjustment with someone holding the accelerator to the floor. (Preferably without the engine running. :eek: ) Set the control rod to the transmission so that it goes all the way down, then back of a couple turns so it will not be forced onto its stop. This should be a good starting point.
Thanks Mad. We'll give that a try "without the engine running". Good call :)

[Chuck Lutz]

Success!!!
My kick down linkage problem is now corrected. Thanks Mad, MkII, Don and all those who were with me in spirit. LOL
The trial and error method (for lack transmission testing equipment) seemed to work well.
I've only had the car a month so I don't know who did what adjustments prior to my grubby hands being on it. I gotta tell you.. I probably lengthened that linkage by 6 or 8 turns to get it to start to react. It's working well and I'll figure out if it will need fine tuning by driving the car a bit but at least I know I'm a half a turn either way from exact. Thanks again folks.

[MKII]

Chuck:

Glad you got it working. I found out exactly what I believe you did also... it is a very critical adjustment, and just one full turn over or under the correct place will make a great change in your transmission. Unbelievable how sensitive they are.

Victor

[Chuck Lutz]

Chuck:

Glad you got it working. I found out exactly what I believe you did also... it is a very critical adjustment, and just one full turn over or under the correct place will make a great change in your transmission. Unbelievable how sensitive they are.

Victor

Sure is cool to get it right though :)