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Author
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Topic: How important is the kickdown?
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Ralph Rebandt
Gearhead Posts: 381
From: Farmington Hills, MI
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 12-28-2001 06:48 PM
   
As most of you know, my mustang is running after the swap from the i-6 to the 289. One glitch is that the headers were in the way of the kickdown piece on the gas pedal. My mechanic broke it off and said that the car can be maunally downshifted to 2nd for passing. I am aware of that possiblity.Any down sides to this type or driving. Should I try another plan to get the kick down working automatically with the gas pedal to the floor? ------------------
1968 Convertible on Blocks "If your going through hell, keep going" - Winston Churchill
www.ohcc.net
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davids68
Gearhead Posts: 251
From: Louisville, KY, United States M&M # 351
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 12-28-2001 08:32 PM
That sounds strange to me. My 68 was originally a six and had a 289 when I got it. I've been through three sets of headers over the years I've owned it and never had any interference. All were long tubes.David
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Just Jim
Gearhead Posts: 381
From: So Cal
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 12-28-2001 09:19 PM
The lack of a downshift rod won't hurt anything and manually downshifting won't hurt the trans. Lokar makes a cable operated downshift set-up. They cater to the street rod crowd so it is a bit pricey though.------------------
"Just Falcon Around"
1962 Falcon 351W
1958 Morris Minor 289
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lyle29464
Gearhead Posts: 517
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C. C. S. A.
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 12-28-2001 11:04 PM
I left my rod off. I had the room for it. I just like it to shift when I want it to.
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Rustang
Gearhead Posts: 276
From: Dubois PA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 12-29-2001 01:20 PM
I never ran the kickdown on my transmissions. However, I think the kickdown, when activated, boosts the line pressure in the trans for harder shifts. I know some transmissions are this way, but not sure if they all are. That may explain why some of the trans I've used over the years were sloppy shifting even after installing a shift kit.  ------------------
'68 mustang 351 clevor- 10.92@124
'67 Stang, 351W -11.18@118
'69 351C Torino-14.90@100
'78 Pickup 351W-15.56@88
'79 Pickup 460 ET=??
http://www.rustang-racing.cityslide.com/contents/contents.cfm/712231
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RagTop
Journeyman Posts: 18
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-04-2002 04:45 PM
The kickdown is intended to provide automatic transmission equipped cars with a "passing gear". While downshifting manually isn't going to hurt anything (unless you downshift at too high a speed, but I'll bet the transmission will override that command) it sure is a lot more of a pain than just mashing the accelerator. First, I'd lose the mechanic that broke off the linkage on the gas pedal(?). These guys should be like doctors. Never harm a patient if you can't help them. If my mech ever broke something off my car I'd show him the door right after he replaced the broken part. I've had full tube and try Y headers on my cars and never had an interference problem with the kickdown linkage. My 69's hook up from the left side of the carb to the transmission via a steel tube "Z" shaped piece. Don't know what year car you have but I thought cars earlier than 69 had cable linkages. Doesn't sound like much of a potential for binding on the headers there.------------------
Regards,
RagTop
69 Meadowlark Yellow convertible, 302(308)/4V
69 Royal Maroon SportsRoof, 351W(363)/4V
00 Pewter Camaro Z28, LS1
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