best way to set kick down on a '400 box?

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by alistair, Jun 12, 2005.

  1. alistair

    alistair Well-Known Member

    Hi

    I have a '66 Lesabre Custom 400 with the 340 4 bbl, 400 trans and the kick down seems lazy to me. Whats the best way to adjust it and set it right how it should be?
     
    alistair, Jun 12, 2005
    #1
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Alistair,
    Your box is probably a switch pitch. The valvebodies installed on these boxes did not have a 3-2 valve. As a result they do not have a part throttle kickdown, only full throttle. The only way to remedy that is to install a later model valvebody. Lots of good info in this thread:

    http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=68002

    It should answer your questions.
     
    LARRY70GS, Jun 12, 2005
    #2
  3. alistair

    alistair Well-Known Member

    I thought only the 401 / 425 cars got switch pitch? Is there an easy way to tell if I have one or a normal converter. Would certainly help explain why the old barge is so quick off the line for a small block full size!
     
    alistair, Jun 13, 2005
    #3
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Alistair,
    Read this:http://www.buickperformance.com/switchpitch.htm
     
    LARRY70GS, Jun 13, 2005
    #4
  5. alistair

    alistair Well-Known Member

    thanks! Makes some sense now. Looks like I do have the SP trans! Now all I have to do is understand enough of that first linked thread to see if I can have part throttle down shifting and correct SP operation... I'm not that knowledgeable about automatic transmissions.
     
    alistair, Jun 14, 2005
    #5

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