Hi everyone.

I'm not really sure where to post this thread (engines, driveline, etc.) But i recently purchased an edelbrock 600 cfm carb and I do not have my automatic transmission kickdown hooked to it.  (to be honest, i'm not even sure where to find it). My question is: if this is not hooked up, will my carb secondaries ever open at all?  or will I just be basically running on 2 barrels all the time?

another question is: how difficult is it to attach this kickdown cable?

thanks,

Jeff

Hmel '7438817.7333796296

Jeff, your car doesn't have a kickdown cable. You should have a 400 trans, which is electrically operated(the kickdown). This is why you can't find a cable to hook up!!
The kickdown switch is actually located on the gas pedal, inside the car. It is the same switch that operates the fresh-air door on the hood.
Oh, and no, the secondaries on the Edelbrock are mechanical, and should open fully, as long as the linkage is correct. It has nothing to do with the trans at all. Adams' Apple38817.8104861111

wow!

i was afraid i'd really show off my ignorance with that question and i succeeded .

i've never heard of this switch you're talking about.  i'll have to look into this.

can you tell me in a nutshell how this operates?  or where i can find some more info on it?  i've heard of the fresh air door on the hood but just assumed that mine is inoperative after 32 years.

thanks.

 

The switch is activated when you mash the go pedal all the way down! It operates the fresh-air door solenoid in the hood, and dumps gov. pressure in the trans, forcing a downshift. There was a post here some time ago, from a Lady in the middle of an interior re-do, and one of her pics showed the switch very nicely. I can also copy the pages out of the Assy. manual, and the shop manual for ya, if you need. I'll look and see can I find the other post first.....

Well, that wasn't too hard!!
HERE'S the PIC. If you look above the gas pedal, toward the top of the pic, you will see the switch. It has an orange wire coming off of it. Adams' Apple38817.8321412037

Jeff, thanks for the question. It made my light bulb go on. So I guess some one is home after all. My vette just did not seem to have much power. I know a L48 smogger is not a fire breather. There was no real secondary roar. So your question about kick-down got me thinking. I went out pulled the air cleaner housing, stepped on the gas pedal and looked that the carb linkage. Well I was just barely cracking the secondaries. Between the heat barrier, padding, carpeting and floor mat I was not getting full pedal travel. Pulled the floor mat, now if I mash hard I get full travel. Talk about over looking the simple things.

thanks for all of your help guys!

i knew i came to the right place!

to be honest, i don't think i've ever really "mashed" my gas pedal all the way to the floor anyway.  i'm too scared that my motor will shoot out of the hood

Hmel '7438818.1981018518