th400 Kickdown

[frickenbored]

I know I need some kind of a kickdown cable or wire for my th400 but I've been looking at this kit from B&M, It looks like you don't need any switch at the gas pedal for it to work:

http://www.jegs.com/i/B%26amp%3BM/130/20297/10002/-1

Has anyone used this or heard of this kit before?  To me it looks a little too good to be true.

[Captkaos]

True, but you are just moving the pedal switch to this throttle cable bracket mounted switch.

Never used it though.

[frickenbored]

It looks like all I need is this:
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/157310/10002/-1

I think I may give it a try, what are the signs of a kickdown thats not working so I know if it works right away.

[VileZambonie]

You don't have a cable it's a switch so a cable bracket won't help. When you depress the pedal far enough the switch closes energizing the detent solenoid.

[VileZambonie]

http://www.americanclassic.com/Google_Base_HTML_Pages/EL870NOS-1973.htm

[Pullin81]

I know I need some kind of a kickdown cable or wire for my th400 but I've been looking at this kit from B&M, It looks like you don't need any switch at the gas pedal for it to work:

http://www.jegs.com/i/B%26amp%3BM/130/20297/10002/-1

Has anyone used this or heard of this kit before?  To me it looks a little too good to be true.

I have this kit in my 86 short box and it works really well... instructions are simple...i would recomend it

[Hertzdaddy]

The factory switch is still available if you have the bracket at the gas pedal. GM Part #1242101 $14.88 at GM parts direct.

[frickenbored]

You don't have a cable it's a switch so a cable bracket won't help. When you depress the pedal far enough the switch closes energizing the detent solenoid.

The switch mounts on the cable bracket instead of the gas pedal

[frickenbored]

I already have the slot in the gas pedal for the th400 switch and $14 is a lot cheaper.  How is that switch hooked up?  Does anyone have pictures or instructions?

[VileZambonie]

Go from the fused ign on the fuse box to the switch and from the switch to the detent solenoid.

[hotrodpc]

I have also seen this set up as factory install on passenger cars with Turbo 400. I have one laying around somewhere. Don't ask me where. I grabbed it off an older big boat car. It bolts to a bracket on the carb, then when you go WOT, part of the linkage hits the button switch and there you go. Not real uncommon. But that B&M rig for $44 is probably worth the headache of tracking it down at a junkard. I also know a guy who put his on a push button, so he could downshift wo going WOT. I have to admit, I like Turbo 400 for their strength, but I do certainly like the detent pressure cable of a Turbo 350 set up better since you don't necessarily have to be WOT for kickdown with a Turbo 350.

[Hertzdaddy]

I had an Eldorado that used the rotary switch on the carb. for the TH425 (TH400 fwd variant). Worked good but I don't believe they are still available from GM. You can find them occasionally on ebay and other sites though.

[hotrodpc]

Very True. Many are not aware, that 425 is a 400, with a chain that makes the case make a U turn. Many many parts are interchangable with the 400. My buddy found out the hard way, NOT ALL parts are intechangeable, and it took us some time to figure it out. He rebuilt one, but didn't have 2nd gear. Couldn't figure out why. All he did was replaced a sprag when he did the rebuild. Giving some thought to it we figured it out. We used a sprag out of T400. Remember the chain on the back of the case, make a U turn, therefore changes the direction of the overrun clutch. So instead of clockwise spin, it needed a counter clockwise spin. Had to pull it all out, open it back and up and go buy the right sprag. It was rotten, but a good lesson to be learned.

[hotrodpc]

Here are some pics I took off my 86 3/4 ton with 454/400. One is blurry, but I think it'll still give the idea. No picture hosting here??? I can email them to you if you want. Send me a message with your addy, and I'll attacth them. Looks like a simple task, if you have the bracket already, which you likley do. Looks like it just bolts to the pedal bracket.

[VileZambonie]

You do not have to have WOT to energize the detent solenoid. The switch is adjustable just like the detent cable on a TH350. HOTRODPC click on additional options when you reply and attach