| FAQ |
| Members List |
| Social Groups |
| Calendar |
| Search |
| Today's Posts |
|
#21
03-23-2006, 04:17 PM
|
||||
|
||||
Our '67 Firebird has a carb mounted TH-400 kickdown switch. It was a push-style that was actuated by a tab on the throttle linkage.
|
|
#22
03-23-2006, 05:10 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
My 69 GTO has it on the gas pedal.
__________________
 frittering and wasting the hours in an off hand way.... 1969 GTO, 455ci, 230/236 Pontiac Dude's "Butcher Special" Comp hyd roller cam with Crower HIPPO solid roller lifters, Q-jet, Edelbrock P4B-QJ, Doug's headers, ported 6X-8 (97cc) heads, TKO600, 3.73 geared Eaton Tru-Trac 8.5", hydroboost, rear disc brakes......and my greatest mechanical feat....a new heater core. 
|
|
#23
03-23-2006, 09:13 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
|
|
#24
03-24-2006, 09:36 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
MY TURN FOR A ROOKIE QUESTION
Help me out. If the kickdown switch is used, as the name implies, to shift the trans down when you mash the throttle, how can not having one installed make the trans shift erratically, as stated in another part of this thread, other than when you want to pass? Won't it shift normally up through the gears as the kickdown switch is not engaged during normal driving? Am installing stuff now on my total rebuild and was thinking of leaving the switch off - my thought was I could just downshift manually (installing a Hurst Quarter Stick with pistol grip) if I needed to "pass" or just have fun. Intend to take the car to the track occassionally, but plan on manually shifting when racing. What have I missed here?
|
|
#25
03-24-2006, 10:02 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I used the Lokar kit on my 64 and it works great.
|
|
#26
03-24-2006, 12:13 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
The Kickdown, or Detent circuits control more then just passing gear! It also increases oil pressure to the 1-2 accumulator and clutches during a detent shift. And it additionally modifies the governor shift points to higher RPM - sometimes hundreds of RPM higher!
The attached copy is from a '67 Pontiac Shop Manual, T-400 section, and is similar to all shop manual descriptions of the T-400 operation. Note the last section that states "for clutch durability". Many aftermarket "performance" T-400's, as well as good shift kits, incorporate a similar mod which raises the 1-2 clutch oil pressure. But it is a good plan to always connect/adjust the kickdown switch on basically stock T-400's. And especially so if it will be subjected to stronger engines, and/or a lot of dragstrip work! Disregard the comment about the "location" of the switch - as noted above, it has varied with different models/years. Jim Hand |
|
#27
03-24-2006, 12:38 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
If you wish to adapt a switch for detent control, obtain a quality single pole On/Off leaf or roller switch and attach it close to the the accelerator pedal such that it actuates at about full throttle. The leaf can be bent for final adjustment. Then regardless of carb type, the kickdown circuits will work as you want. The switch shown is actually an On-Off-ON type, but only one ON-Off circuit is used - the third connection is unused.
Here are two photos of my adaption for the T-400 after replacing the T-350. The views are approximately from my left knee if setting in the driver's seat. Note the switch is activated by the original throttle cable lever - inserted a large screw for adjustment. And a mounting bracket is fastened to the switch and to the throttle lever pivot area. Obviously, different cars will look differently, but this shows in general how a standard switch can be adapted and will work great. Jim Hand Last edited by Jim Hand; 03-24-2006 at 12:55 PM. |
|
#28
03-24-2006, 12:57 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
I stand corrected on two points then... I should have realized that because it was last used in '74 on F bodies, that it may have survived on larger platforms since it was only removed from the F bodies due to space concerns. I also really did not know that the kickdown was mounted underhood on some TH400 models. I've never seen one mounted there on any of the 5 or 6 TH400 equipped cars I've owned. All were between '68 and '74 models.
__________________
Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
|
#29
03-24-2006, 01:15 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Mine is similar to Jim's. Micro switch and adjustable bracket. I read many years ago, just what Jim described, that the switch modifies the circuitry.
|
|
#30
03-24-2006, 04:56 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
This is an interesting topic. My kick down hasn't been hoked up on my th400 for years. Sounds like it might be a good idea (and fun) to hook it back up. Does anyone know what color wire(s) goes to the switch on the side of the trans on a 71 GTO? Thanks, HS
|
|
#31
03-24-2006, 05:16 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
thought the kickdown dropped the trans into the next lower gear. So for a Turbo 400 it goes from 3rd into 2nd, the ST 300 goes from high into low. NOT into the lowest gear on a turbo like 3rd into 1st.
|
|
#32
03-24-2006, 06:29 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
The T-400 will shift from 3 to 1 on a detent downshift, providing that does not run the engine RPM higher then the governor is set. In other words, if you are crusing at 25 MPH in 3rd gear and trip the downshift detent, it will immediately shift to 1st gear. And if the throttle is held open, it will run to the governor RPM in 1st, run to the governor RPM in 2nd, and then shift to 3rd.
Jim Hand |
|
#33
03-26-2006, 12:02 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I want to thank everyone for their input on this. I just ordered a Lokar electric kickdown kit from Summit (LOK-KD2400HT). From researching everything, I think this will do what I need it to do. Lets hope anyway.
Again, Thank you all. Bill
__________________
_____________________________ It is not a problem.... It is just a blood pressure monitor. |
|
#34
03-27-2006, 03:28 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Is the Lokar kickdown Kit better than the B&M? If so, why?
__________________
1969 Firebird "400". 408 Pontiac, #62 heads, 274 XE cam, Eddy RPM intake, Quick Fuel Slayer 750, Carter Super Street fuel pump, Mallory Unilite, Turbo 400 with shift kit, Continental "Jim Hand Special" 3200 stall, 12 bolt 4.10 posi. 1 5/8 inch headers, 2.5 exhaust with Dynomax Ultraflos. |
|
#35
08-02-2008, 11:51 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
Thanks
__________________
Mike |
|
#36
08-03-2008, 01:08 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
look in the factory service manual for the wiring. and always better to start a new thread, as some do not look at old threads.
|
|
#37
08-03-2008, 02:17 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Engineer I dont understand that idea about old threads. Once a new reply has been posted, it becomes a NEW post? No?
I am going to use a Lokar kit as well when I change from a th-350 to a th-400 on my Firebird. My 67 GTO has the switch on the gas pedal.
__________________
-- James Work '67 GTO Convertible "Koerner Built 413 500 hp with a Victor!.. I'll run a stock intake." '75 Formula 400 - Daily Driver - Running with my Home Built 455 and TH400 Details here: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=588372 |
|
#38
08-03-2008, 02:48 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
My 70 GTO works from the gas pedal and is factory.
|
|
#39
03-04-2016, 05:03 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
my 64 lemans kickdown switch...
on a 2 spd tranny was mounted on carb bolt...it had plunger stuck "in"..i thought tranny was garbage when it would not shift 1st to 2nd...unplugged switch at carb...no prob..now i am putting it back on...cleaned up..buying a new rubber boot for it at Ames...what color was the bracket originally?..like to see pic of one in orig colors??..anyone?>"?? thanks
|
| Reply |
|
|
The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.
Linear Mode
