trans kickdown bracket input needed

I recently put a TH350 in my 65 Skylark behind a mildly built 300 V8. The trans kickdown bracket I'm using is a universal bracket made by Russel which I had to pretty severely alter. Suprisingly it still looks very clean and presentable after heating and bending etc. I think it's in an almost perfect position but the trans is still not kicking down properly. I'm not sure if this is a matter of trial and error at this point, or if the bracket simply isn't working for my application. I know that this really isn't rocket science so I'm starting to get a little frustrated. I am using a 1964 Buick Aluminum intake and have a brand new Carter AFB Competition Series 600 CFM carb. Is there a more correct/better bracket to be using? Does anyone else have this set up?

Thanks,
Matt

 

I wish you lived near me so I could MIG weld you a custom bracket. I've made several brackets like this over the years. Mostly by altering stock ones or ones from different kinda cars. Any of your buddies have a Mig?

 

Hi Dan,

Yeah, I certainly have plenty of 'welding' connections here in CT. What do you have in mind?

 

Hi Larry,

I realize that on the later model Buicks the detent cable went directly to the accelerator, but I was told (and it seems to be true) that this set up won't work on the earlier models (i.e. mine being a '65). It seems on these earlier models the detent has to work off the carb linkage. But you did make an interesting observation - you indicate in your thread that there should not be any slack in the cable.....hhhmmm.......I had a local tranny shop look at it and they specifically told me 'not' to make it tight and that it needs to have a reasonable amount of slack or it will be constantly kicking down. I just happen to have a somewhat crappy pic of the bracket here online. This doesn't show the carb in this pic, but there is a slide looking thing on the linkage (from the tranny shop) that allows play - you can kinda see it in the following blurry pic. I look forward to your opinions/comments. Sorry for the horrible pics. Maybe I'll get better ones tomorrow.

 

blurry pic #2

 

I have a 2004r in my '65 Skylark... I used a Chevy bracket that mounts to my intake where the old kickdown bracket used to be to connect the TV cable...I got it at a local speed shop. The only thing I had to do was bend the top of the bracket toward the valve cover. Simple install... I don't remember the name of the company that makes the bracket... Here is a pic, and let me know if you need any more photos... Or perhaps I could pick one up for you here and send it to you if things don't work out for you there...

 

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the info and the pic. The main problem I face on my motor though, is the fact that the '64 aluminum intake does not have any mounting points for a bracket anyhere. I am limited to the carb or intake bolts. I've looked around quite a bit for a different bracket with no sucess. Last evening I did bend it a little straighter and pulled a little more slack out of it. The trans seems to downshift a little better than berfore, but not all the time. I think I'm going to tighten it up a little bit more after work today. But even as a matter of asthetics, if you should come across anything locally that you think might work well and look better, please let me know. I'd be happy to send you money for it.

Matt
860-729-6805

 

350 kickdown

i used a q jet accel bracket from summit for a overdrive swap i think from tci but looks like stock oves from monte carlos with 2004r and q jet . so i guess that might work too.
andy