Author Topic: transmission kickdown  (Read 7736 times)

Offline klaussk

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transmission kickdown
« on: April 19, 2011, 08:42:49 pm »
I have a 1985 Chevy k10 with a 305 and 700r4 transmission. I just installed a Holley carb and edelbroke intake. I got the stud for the kickdown cable to hook to the carb. But the truck doesn't seem to kickdown like it used to. Especially going down the highway in overdrive. Is there a way to adjust this cable? If so can you tell me how and were to find the connection on the transmission. Also, will it hurt the transmission to do a trial and error adjustment.
Go ahead hit it with a hammer. Theres only one level of broke.

Offline topp

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Re: transmission kickdown
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2011, 09:04:38 pm »
It is not a "kickdown Cable"
It is a TV Cable and if not adjusted PROPERLY, will cook the tranny.

http://www.tciauto.com/Products/Instructions/instructions/gm_tv_cable_adjust.htm
'90 Suburban TBI 350

Offline Grim 82

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Re: transmission kickdown
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2011, 11:35:44 pm »
Klaussk, I swapped a 700r4 into my pickup, and I use a Holley carb. Without additional brackets to correct the geometry, you will never get it right, and as topp posted, you will destroy it. I purchased the Bowtie Overdrives kit and installed it, and didn't see good results. Then there were some other problems and the valve body was replaced (I suspect builder error) and I tried the brackets that Holley sells, and it worked decent for a while; I've since swapped motors, and now it doesn't like to downshift when you punch it and it flares on the 2-3 shift. The builder assures me everything is fine. Alot of other things happened, and then..
I dropped it off at a different shop tonight to get it right, and the results are unknown for right now. I am very close to swapping the manual trans back into it because at this point I am nearly fully convinced that if you have a 700r4 and anything but a q-jet that's set up for it, you are destined for transmission failure.
If anybody has a solution to this problem, post it up, because Klauss and I are in the same predicament, and I have searched every thread in this forum for an answer. For the record, in your other thread about choosing a carb I suggested a q-jet, and I wish I would have got one, or stayed with the manual trans, and those headers are shipping out this week. Sorry for the delay.
Give a man a gun, and he might rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he might rob the world.

Offline topp

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Re: transmission kickdown
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2011, 11:39:56 pm »
The link I provided shows where to connect the cable to ANY carb/TBI unit as long as the measurements are correct....
'90 Suburban TBI 350

Offline Grim 82

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Re: transmission kickdown
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2011, 09:05:58 am »
The bracket they recommend in the link is identical to the Holley bracket, and so far it hasn't brought my line pressure within spec. I found another trans tech that is familiar with using the BTO kits when installing 700r4's in classic cars, so he's reinstalling the TV spring and carb brackets from BTO. I'll let you know how it turns out. That kit runs about $150 and you can install it yourself, but you need to drop the pan and use the spring from the kit, so you would need some ATF, and you'll need a pressure gauge to verify your results.
Your results may vary if your trans was working good before you swapped carbs. I don't know that mine has ever been right, so I may have bigger problems than just TV cable adjustment. Either way, yours will require some kind of additional parts to get it right.
Give a man a gun, and he might rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he might rob the world.

Offline klaussk

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Re: transmission kickdown
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2011, 06:56:03 am »
I looked for a Qjet but they were all atleast 160 dollars more than the Holley. I think Im gonna order the holley bracket today. I know a few guys around here that might have some knowledge on the issue. I know a few that have run the exact same setup I have. Thanks guys
Go ahead hit it with a hammer. Theres only one level of broke.

Offline klaussk

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Re: transmission kickdown
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2011, 07:41:36 pm »
Ok so the guy with the same setup as me moved last week. And the other is on deployment. I checked that link by topp and my tranny shifts in the same spots the link says. It just doesnt kickdown a gear like it used to. I think I might be ok with just the bracket from holley.We will see.
Go ahead hit it with a hammer. Theres only one level of broke.

Offline topp

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Re: transmission kickdown
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2011, 10:11:03 pm »
Check the cable for adjustment, not just how the pivot on the throttle bracket works...
'90 Suburban TBI 350