OK, I am not quite sure what part I need and in which section to post, so feel free to move this thread to electric or carb. The plastic rod of a switch in my engine bay is broken and the rubber bag surrounding it is dry rotten. The part is on the driver side, linked to the Carter carb and part of a linkage-to-cable going somewhere down the bulkhead. The shop manual lists it as a "Switch asm." in the ST400-section, so I figure it has something to do with the automatic transmission. Here is a picture: What does the part do? What is the full name? Where can I buy one? Can I drive without it? I have taken the part of the linkage off that is connected to the carb as it was blocking the free movement of the carb lever. Rockauto doesn´t list any parts in the trans and/or electrical section that looks as it would fit. Could find anything on fleabay or elswehere on the web.
That is a kick down or passing gear switch. When u mash on thw throttle hard it sends an electrical signal to trans and a solenold inside trans makes it downshift to provive more torque multiplication for easier passing. Looks like a 340 engine? Probably a 67? Its not a necessity and car will run fine without it
Also note that the plastic rod thats layin down on intake coming out of switch needs to be extended out twds frt of car . I went to a holley carb and did not hook mine back to carb and it got pushed in and seems like it may have affected my trans shifts or something cause it was trying to electricity downshift. Cant 100 pct remember what it did but for 10 seconds worth of checking it its no biggie
That switch also controls the stall speed change on a switch pitch transmission, as well as the kick down. You can't buy that new and there are no reproductions AFAIK. Look on Ebay, you may find them there. They will not be cheap. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-401-42...ash=item4d5a30c341:g:1OsAAOSwVm5Y9Z7r&vxp=mtr
It is a 340 in a 67 LeSabre vert. I was able to glue the broken pieces together and stabalize them with some liquid plastic stuff. Worked great until I adjusted the threaded end into the plastic tube and broke it off again. However, the threaded part of the rod now attaches to the plastic tube in the switch, so for now I am OK. Too bad they do not make replacements. Has anybody looked at Impala parts or any other make? I found universal KD switches at Summit, do those work for us?
For used parts, 1965-1967 Olds and Cadillac also used combination switches for switch pitch and passing gear. Dont know if they were the exact same design though.
Not sure if this helps but can you switch to the gas pedal type switch found on 70-72? Gm? They may be more common to find.
