[79 Black TA 455]

Hi all,

My 79 T/A has never had the kick down working, so I thought I should start looking at making it work.

Motor is Pontiac 455, and from where I see it, it has no manual kickdown cable that goes into the auto. Assuming it is an electronic kick down set up that is not working?

Not strong on this side, appreciate any help anyone can offer to get it working....

Thanks

Jamie

[PLAY400]

TH400 uses an electric kickdown. Switch is on the dr side. I believe the actuator switch is in the car on the gas pedal bracket. Just replaced the switch on my trans cause it was open. TH350, I don't know, don't use em. Alan

[Jeff Walker]

First of all you need to know for sure what transmission you have. It should either be a TH350(cable kickdown), or TH400(electric kickdown).

The best way to identify the transmission is to determine where the vacuum modulator is. If it is near the front of the trans on the RH side of the car it is a TH400. If it is located near the rear of the transmission on the RH side of the trans it is a TH350.

If it is a TH350 someone may have just disconnected the cable. If it is a TH400 you will probably need to locate a bracket and actuator switch for the gas pedal since I don't think a TH400 was used in 79 F-bodies. HTH

[79 Black TA 455]

Thanks Guys.

Yep she is a Turbo 400.

I will check on the gas pedal bracket tomorrow.

(Hoping there is a switch!)

Cheers

Jamie

[ER]

On my th400 ('67 GTO) the electric kick-down was not even hooked up until about a month ago. Was not even aware of it til we installed torque convertor. The vacuum line from carb to trans was all that was hooked up and worked fine. Hooked up the wire and can't tell any difference. Just my .02.

ER

[60man]

I am in the process of modifying my TH400 to get the governor to shift all gears at 5500.
I was told that the detent solonoid(kick down) is needed. When the switch activates the solonoid it (signals)diverts fluid to the governor to indicate motor is at FULL throttle(to control shift points) and increases pressure to the clutch packs... I am no expert but I am in the process of hooking up a detent switch for my TH400 in my 60 race car. Right now I just flip it on with a toggle switch...
I have been convinced it is needed...

[screamingchief]

You probably wont have the bracket on the gas pedal for the switch,so you will either have to hunt down an earlier style pedal/switch assembly and wire it in,or use an aftermarket switch.

Lokar makes a nice adaptable cable/switch arrangement part #KD-2400HT.

Here's a pic of it.

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

The Lokar item is an excellent piece. Easy to install and works great.

[screamingchief]

That is my opinion too.

The one I have now was bought for a project but did'nt get used,but feel it will be worth holding onto for use in the future sometime.

Its easy to get it to "hide" pretty well if you want a "low key" type install,and handsome enough if your going to leave it in the open.

And I felt the funtion was certainly up to the job as well.

Simple wiring also.

Simply the best aftermarket option as far as I am concerned.

[PLAY400]

I'm cheap. I could not get the proper switch for my 68 bird so I went with the B&M 1. Installes and works great, has a stock appearance. But for the later models you can get the switch new, off any GM car or truck that had a TH400 or if your really stuck I can see if I have any left. It will bolt on to your existing bracket.

[79 Black TA 455]

Guys,

Fantastic responses!!!!

Appreciate the time....Will look at it over the next few days.

E.R. my hope is that with the kickdown, it should give me more power by downshifting into first when at low speeds with full throttle. At the moment it stays in 2nd gear, so I am hoping this will fix this!

Cheers

Jamie