Any auto trans specialists out there? No best guess experts please, I can do that myself. I know my Mav has had an engine swap from 6 to V8, but dont know if the trans was swapped, so cant as yet I.D. what is fitted. My question is regarding the kickdown cable, or rather lack of it. Will not having a kickdown cable damage the trans, effecting internal pressures etc. It doesnt seem to need one performance wise, but upshifts come very quickly from standstill on light throttle .My 302 is fitted with a 2bbl Holley, and no sign of kickdown linkage is apparent. If no damage is being done I can live with it
No expert here however, I have been running my 302/C4 combination with no kick down cable for more than 20 years.
Ran one that way for along time on a 65 Mustang with no ill effects just have to shift down to second manually. Or you can get a carb that has kickdown capabilities and search for a rod. You can also get a Lokar kickdown cable and adapt it to the carb
The cable for a C4 is for forced downshifts or to extend upshift point under WOT, has no effect on part throttle upshift... The older modulator valves had a adjustment in the vac port, with a small screwdriver can somewhat tune the point the tans upshifts... Turning it inward will delay upshift and maybe force a part throttle downshift at lower RPM... Too much adj and the trans won't upshift... I dunno but there may be different "tunes" on modulators(for most part I've always walked a wide path around anything that wasn't v8)... I'd think a V8 would upshift earlier as engine has more torque thus produces more vacuum at a lower RPM... As others stated, I've also ran without the cable with no problem..
The kick down cable also give more pressure for clutches and bands.adjust the vac modulator for earlier or later up shifts. I would just get a lokar cable if it isn't a stock setup
thanks guys...my query was based on the old BW35 trans I used to work on, where the kickdown was an essential part of the trans and was needed for well timed upshifts and to let the trans spin up to speed to get correct fluid pressure.My old 63 zodiac was useless without it. I dont feel the performance is drastically reduced on the Maverick,overtaking is fine, I can hold the gears if I need to as it has a B&M floor shifter, and if it causes no damage ...all is good
