Kick down trouble no one knows

[Lee A]

For the last 4 years I have been playing with my kick down I have a 68 charger with a 68 727 tranny and a 78 440 in it I got a kick down off a 72 dodge truck because I did not have one when I switched from a small block to a big block the kick down has never worked and so I found a kick down off a 68 coronet 383 2 barrel is this the right one now for me before I put it on I can see the difference in kick down rods they have different pitches and lenghts and anyone please tell if I am on the right track ever thing else works fine just nothing when you pull out to pass someone

[John_Kunkel]

Assuming that your '78 440 has a 4-barrel carb, the 2-barrel kickdown lingage won't work properly.

The two-barrel carb lever sits near the center of the manifold while the 4-barrel is further forward on the front barrels of the carb, this means that the 4-barrel upper rod needs to be longer than the 2-barrel. Also, when using B linkage (383) on an RB engine (440), the vertical rod in the 3-piece linkage will be shorter due to the taller block on the 440.

When using mechanical linkage it's best to get the correct assembly from the exact engine/chassis you have. Brand new linkage is available from several sources but it's quite expensive. An alternative is a cable setup, I would avoid the Lokar in favor of the Bouchillon.

[Paul G]

What I have found is, the transmission linkage may not have the correct amount of travel. Meaning, it may need to be attached to a point higher up on the carb linkage. If you can adjust it so the transmission shifts correctly, but it wont kick down, or you can adjust for a good kickdown, but it wont shift right, the problem is most likely not enough trans linkage travel. I had to extend the linkage bracket by making an extension arm, and elongating the slot in the linkage at the carb. Also had to mount it to a point higher up on the carb bracket.

This pic shows my linkage. You can see the shiny bolts, that is the extension. I also have the Chrysler carb bracket for a Holley carb with the transmission linkage mounted to it. My 72 was originally a 904, now has a 727. That had to be why my linkage would not work correctly. It does now.   

[ACUDANUT]

 I believe your 383 rod will be too short for a taller 440.

[GreenMachine]

   I thought that the kickdown linkage is the same 383 to 440, only the bracket that bolts to the intake manifold is different. And the only difference in that bracket is it puts the throttle cable further forward on the 4 bbl. vs the 2 bbl.. The kickdown linkage is still in the same spot, that's why there is adjustment on the vertical rod and the upper horizontal rod.
  The truck intake bracket is bigger and gets bolted down using 2 bolts, but puts the linkage and throttle cable in the same spot. This is of course for the 3 piece style linkage (with 2 bellcranks).
  I've had just about every type of linkage, just not at the same time so I never compared them. Again, I could be wrong, It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison of the same year 383 and 440 linkage.
   Also when you get a linkage setup from the junkyard, be sure to get the trans lever as there are a few different lengths. Be sure that you get the same travel on the trans lever as you get from the carb lever when the pedal is pressed down.

[Lee A]

how is a 383 different from a 440 I should of just put the hammer through the window and called it a day if parts are not interchangeable from that close sdome one sure cornered the market

[jeryst]

how is a 383 different from a 440 I should of just put the hammer through the window and called it a day if parts are not interchangeable from that close sdome one sure cornered the market

You shouldn't need kickdown with a 440 - lol.

You're thinking like a Chevy person, where they reused every part they could (no insult intended).
Chrysler designed each engine for performance, so many things do not interchange.
That's why they run so good!

You just need to get (or make) the right linkage for your motor, thats all.

[ACUDANUT]

  Just make the kickdown rod longer, if needed.  Find a mopar club near you. You could use some support.

[John_Kunkel]

  I thought that the kickdown linkage is the same 383 to 440, only the bracket that bolts to the intake manifold is different. And the only difference in that bracket is it puts the throttle cable further forward on the 4 bbl. vs the 2 bbl.. The kickdown linkage is still in the same spot, that's why there is adjustment on the vertical rod and the upper horizontal rod.

Nope, check your parts book. The upper rod is the same for the 383-4 and the 440-4 but the 383-2 is different (shorter). Same for the vertical rod, the 383-2 and 383-4 are the same but the 440 is different. (longer)

The only reason the top bellcrank is different is because the taller block would position the linkage further outboard if they were the same; the ratio of the bellcrank is the same for B and RB blocks.

[RD]

  I thought that the kickdown linkage is the same 383 to 440, only the bracket that bolts to the intake manifold is different. And the only difference in that bracket is it puts the throttle cable further forward on the 4 bbl. vs the 2 bbl.. The kickdown linkage is still in the same spot, that's why there is adjustment on the vertical rod and the upper horizontal rod.

Nope, check your parts book. The upper rod is the same for the 383-4 and the 440-4 but the 383-2 is different (shorter). Same for the vertical rod, the 383-2 and 383-4 are the same but the 440 is different. (longer)

The only reason the top bellcrank is different is because the taller block would position the linkage further outboard if they were the same; the ratio of the bellcrank is the same for B and RB blocks.

listen to the man.  the placement of the 4bbl and 2bbl carburetor linkages are at two different places, let alone deck height.  hence, you need the exact rod to fit your application.

[GreenMachine]

  I thought that the kickdown linkage is the same 383 to 440, only the bracket that bolts to the intake manifold is different. And the only difference in that bracket is it puts the throttle cable further forward on the 4 bbl. vs the 2 bbl.. The kickdown linkage is still in the same spot, that's why there is adjustment on the vertical rod and the upper horizontal rod.

Nope, check your parts book. The upper rod is the same for the 383-4 and the 440-4 but the 383-2 is different (shorter). Same for the vertical rod, the 383-2 and 383-4 are the same but the 440 is different. (longer)

The only reason the top bellcrank is different is because the taller block would position the linkage further outboard if they were the same; the ratio of the bellcrank is the same for B and RB blocks.

That does make sense, but why is there so much adjustment available? isn't there only a difference of 3/4" from B/RB? You would think they would either make it adjustable for all, or make it for one specific application and only have one spot for adjustment.
The trouble with parts manuals is they don't put the part # on most of the parts. I have a whole drawer full of misc. linkage that I'm not sure what it's for. But when I need a piece, it's usually there.
By the way Lee A, let me know if you see a piece you need in my pic.

[pullrock]

You could always give this a try if you want to move to a cable driven setup from Lokar.

http://www.lokar.com/product-descriptions/polished-hitech-kickdowns.htm


Good Luck!

Eric
68 Charger R/T

[Lee A]

If i need to make it longer can't you just screw it out some it has a 1 to 1 1/2 inches of play to go in and out or that won't work either I never was any good at kickdowns I tried on a mustang once and never got it either I get all fustrade and usely make up new colorful words lol

[Lee A]

Ok I'm cool and calm now I went and talk to a few old mopar guys that work at a popular dealership one was a tranny guy and the other was motor guy together and they told me that the kickdown I have is half right so I went and measured my kick down on my 383 4 barrel on my 69 and that one is factory and the bottom piece is the same and the middle piece is the same but the carb rod is 1 1/4 short story of my life anyways I need a rod to connect to the carb that is 13 inches long thats about half screwed in when I measured it.Bottom is 9 inches no adjustment middle is 14 3/4 inches and top for a 4 barrel is 13 inches so greenmachine do you have a 13 inch rod lol in your door of goodies I think I see one right in the middle.

[John_Kunkel]

The trouble with parts manuals is they don't put the part # on most of the parts. I have a whole drawer full of misc. linkage that I'm not sure what it's for.

That's the same problem everybody has, I only made reference to the parts book to show that some parts have different part numbers. My collection of parts is about the same as yours (only not as clean) and I couldn't tell you which one goes where.

That's why I always recommend using/comparing components from a known correct installation.

[GreenMachine]

Ok I'm cool and calm now I went and talk to a few old mopar guys that work at a popular dealership one was a tranny guy and the other was motor guy together and they told me that the kickdown I have is half right so I went and measured my kick down on my 383 4 barrel on my 69 and that one is factory and the bottom piece is the same and the middle piece is the same but the carb rod is 1 1/4 short story of my life anyways I need a rod to connect to the carb that is 13 inches long thats about half screwed in when I measured it.Bottom is 9 inches no adjustment middle is 14 3/4 inches and top for a 4 barrel is 13 inches so greenmachine do you have a 13 inch rod lol in your door of goodies I think I see one right in the middle.

Is this how you measured yours?