Thank you so much for making this video. I ended up pulling the tranny pan and sure enough the plunger wasn’t going in all the way. I thought I had the kick down adjusted correctly up top but I didn’t. The Camaro downshifts like a champ now. I’m actually enjoying my new engine and tranny.
I think someone may have modified that cable. From the top up by the carburetor it looks like the cable that comes stock on a 700r4 transmission. That definitely is a TH350 transmission. You got it to downshift so that’s what’s important. I just wanted to point that out.
Thanks! Very informative and concise. I recently dropped the TH350 pan on my '81 Pontiac Trans Am to fix leaks and replace the filter. I found the downshift rod and bracket are gone. An old downshift cable is in it but cut off half way to the carb. This Buick/Olds/Pontiac TH350 is a bit different than a Chevy TH350 but is basically the same downshift mechanism. Will have to source some parts before I can get the downshift to work.
GM did not change the connection to the transmission. If you were to look a little closer, you will find that the rod from the transmission that connects to the downshift cable is probabbly up inside the cable sheath. this happens alot with aftermarket universal kicksown cables thart arent really the exact lengh as the OEM.
Question. If the cable is not set properly, is it possible to experience a bog when giving it full throttle from a dead stop? Or would that have nothing to do with it?
This was a huge help in trying to understand the problem I'm having, but it still doesn't solve the issue for me. I bought a new cable that looks like yours from Summit racing. It's for a 76 chevy van. Even the website said it was a direct fit. But, it almost seems like my cable is too long. Even when I adjust it to take as much slack out and keep the cable action as short as possible, the cable never actually engages. At WOT, the arm that the end of the cable is hooked to just barely touches the end of the cable's notched slider piece. I guess my cable is too long?
If I were you, I would look at the brackets that are holding the cable. It’s possible they got swapped out at some point and they are not in the right position.
I adjusted at the carb but still had 1” of travel. Dropped the pan and found that I have the same style cable in new at the trans as you do on your truck. Not sure the best way to adjust that 1” of travel I’m left with…. I pulled it tight and swedged a stop on it but it hasn’t helped much. May have to reach out to the aftermarket for a newer or better cable
Sir, kick down cable in my truck is at least 1” too long, this is after I’ve made the adjustments shown in your video. Whether my cable is a replacement or original I can’t say ( a lot can happen in 40 years ) I intend to use a cable stop to take up the last bit of slack
What was it that was keeping the cable and s clip from coming out ? I'm having the same issue replacing mine right now, but really don't want to drop the pan...
Ideally, you don’t want the S- clip to come out. The top end of it is connected to the cable and the bottom end of it is connected to a piece of linkage inside the transmission typically.
I need help. My 85 blazer has that same trans and the kick down cable at the bottom where it goes in to the trans the new one kick down cable is to big for the hole in the trans but it’s just like yours
I've run into the same issue before. I had to go to a different brand (don't remember which) to get a cable with the correct diameter plastic piece. I guess GM revised the part over the years so you have to keep trying different solutions. For shopping online, see what rockauto.com offers. For local shoppong, I'd try NAPA Auto Parts.
So I have a question and I'm asking whoever I can, my 78 Chevy was towed they disconnected the linkage and I had to replace the ignition because somebody broke it well I put the linkage back in but I don't know if it was already in gear or a neutral I'm not sure where the shifter supposed to be at. The linkage is what I meant and I have a Chilton's that explains but I'm not too sure I've got everything done and disconnected when I started my truck it wanted to take off so I figured that was in gear I don't know how to check if it's in park or neutral or what's going on with it if you can help me out please.
I think I would put the shifter in the Park position. Then, get under the car and move the small arm of the driver side of the transmission to where the linkage rod will go in. Secure with whatever kind of clip the factory used.
@@pinkcaddygarage267 just an update I figured out what was wrong with my transmission and the linkage, so I had everything correct except one thing and on the shifting linkage down by the transmission you've got that bar with the spring on it that sits on the driver side frame it goes into the hole after you put it in there you hook your linkage up that wasn't in the hole that was the whole reason why the truck wasn't catching the gears and the shifter was sloppy 🤦♂️😝 after that I was able to get all my gears everything seemed just fine I went to put it in gear and it wouldn't drive Well after a long day I figured out through help that it was low on ATF 🤷♂️ My truck drives like a champ thank you for all your help
Get a cable from an 80 Malibu. They are about 3" longer at the connector end. I just had the same problem with my 64 impala. Trans came from an 81 cutlass with a 2bbl. The aftermarket ones are built like dogsh!t though. Be prepared to trim plastic. They have a habit of popping out of the bracket that holds them in place.
A lots of guys would have turned that into a 45 minute video.
Thanks
This is an excellent video. Extremely helpful. Well done Sir.
Super solid video! This was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
Thank you so much for making this video. I ended up pulling the tranny pan and sure enough the plunger wasn’t going in all the way. I thought I had the kick down adjusted correctly up top but I didn’t. The Camaro downshifts like a champ now. I’m actually enjoying my new engine and tranny.
Glad it worked, it is such a beating when the car won’t downshift correctly.
I think someone may have modified that cable. From the top up by the carburetor it looks like the cable that comes stock on a 700r4 transmission. That definitely is a TH350 transmission. You got it to downshift so that’s what’s important. I just wanted to point that out.
You’re probably right. The truck came stock with a 700 R4 and it was apparently later switched out to a turbo 350 in its life.
Thanks! Very informative and concise. I recently dropped the TH350 pan on my '81 Pontiac Trans Am to fix leaks and replace the filter. I found the downshift rod and bracket are gone. An old downshift cable is in it but cut off half way to the carb. This Buick/Olds/Pontiac TH350 is a bit different than a Chevy TH350 but is basically the same downshift mechanism. Will have to source some parts before I can get the downshift to work.
Try rockauto.com
GM did not change the connection to the transmission. If you were to look a little closer, you will find that the rod from the transmission that connects to the downshift cable is probabbly up inside the cable sheath. this happens alot with aftermarket universal kicksown cables thart arent really the exact lengh as the OEM.
Thanks for the clarification!
Best example I’ve seen thank you
Very good video👍. Now i can fix my gearbox😀. Thanks brother👍
Excellent video!
Incredibly helpful. Thank you very much.
Excellent video and explanation 🤙🏻
Thank you for a great video really helpful that's what I'm doing to my car
Question. If the cable is not set properly, is it possible to experience a bog when giving it full throttle from a dead stop? Or would that have nothing to do with it?
This was a huge help in trying to understand the problem I'm having, but it still doesn't solve the issue for me. I bought a new cable that looks like yours from Summit racing. It's for a 76 chevy van. Even the website said it was a direct fit. But, it almost seems like my cable is too long. Even when I adjust it to take as much slack out and keep the cable action as short as possible, the cable never actually engages. At WOT, the arm that the end of the cable is hooked to just barely touches the end of the cable's notched slider piece. I guess my cable is too long?
If I were you, I would look at the brackets that are holding the cable. It’s possible they got swapped out at some point and they are not in the right position.
I adjusted at the carb but still had 1” of travel. Dropped the pan and found that I have the same style cable in new at the trans as you do on your truck. Not sure the best way to adjust that 1” of travel I’m left with…. I pulled it tight and swedged a stop on it but it hasn’t helped much.
May have to reach out to the aftermarket for a newer or better cable
Are you saying the new cable is too long?
Sir, kick down cable in my truck is at least 1” too long, this is after I’ve made the adjustments shown in your video. Whether my cable is a replacement or original I can’t say ( a lot can happen in 40 years ) I intend to use a cable stop to take up the last bit of slack
Fantastic video this has helped me so much, thanks for sharing.
Glad to help!
Thank you boss
What was it that was keeping the cable and s clip from coming out ?
I'm having the same issue replacing mine right now, but really don't want to drop the pan...
Ideally, you don’t want the S- clip to come out. The top end of it is connected to the cable and the bottom end of it is connected to a piece of linkage inside the transmission typically.
My plunger gets stuck and want come out once the petal is pushed all the way in . Now i cant get it out otf 1st gear . What a pain
What if you kick down a few times then it doesn't want to go back to drive
Thank you for sharing your knowledge sir
I think we’re all learning together!
Best one iv seen
Thanks . My gto keeps down shifting from 3rd to second at 1/3 to half throttle. So annoying.
Don’t most GTO‘s have a turbo 400?
very good video..
I need help. My 85 blazer has that same trans and the kick down cable at the bottom where it goes in to the trans the new one kick down cable is to big for the hole in the trans but it’s just like yours
I've run into the same issue before. I had to go to a different brand (don't remember which) to get a cable with the correct diameter plastic piece. I guess GM revised the part over the years so you have to keep trying different solutions. For shopping online, see what rockauto.com offers. For local shoppong, I'd try NAPA Auto Parts.
Can it be setup to downshift with less than full throttle?
I believe so. Just adjust a little further in(add tension) and it will downshift earlier.
@@pinkcaddygarage267 thanks
So I have a question and I'm asking whoever I can, my 78 Chevy was towed they disconnected the linkage and I had to replace the ignition because somebody broke it well I put the linkage back in but I don't know if it was already in gear or a neutral I'm not sure where the shifter supposed to be at. The linkage is what I meant and I have a Chilton's that explains but I'm not too sure I've got everything done and disconnected when I started my truck it wanted to take off so I figured that was in gear I don't know how to check if it's in park or neutral or what's going on with it if you can help me out please.
I think I would put the shifter in the Park position. Then, get under the car and move the small arm of the driver side of the transmission to where the linkage rod will go in. Secure with whatever kind of clip the factory used.
@@pinkcaddygarage267 just an update I figured out what was wrong with my transmission and the linkage, so I had everything correct except one thing and on the shifting linkage down by the transmission you've got that bar with the spring on it that sits on the driver side frame it goes into the hole after you put it in there you hook your linkage up that wasn't in the hole that was the whole reason why the truck wasn't catching the gears and the shifter was sloppy 🤦♂️😝 after that I was able to get all my gears everything seemed just fine I went to put it in gear and it wouldn't drive Well after a long day I figured out through help that it was low on ATF 🤷♂️ My truck drives like a champ thank you for all your help
Glad you’re on the road again!
@@pinkcaddygarage267 💪 thank God for the web I'm glad everybody works together and helps each other out thanks again
What's happening when the plunger is weak
Well, I haven’t run into that before, so I’m not sure. You may have to drop the pan and see if anything is unhooked or not moving as it should be.
In my 70 Impala I swapped the 2 bbl for a Holley 4 bbl and my detent cable is now too short. Haven't figured out what to do yet
How much too short?
Get a cable from an 80 Malibu. They are about 3" longer at the connector end. I just had the same problem with my 64 impala. Trans came from an 81 cutlass with a 2bbl. The aftermarket ones are built like dogsh!t though. Be prepared to trim plastic. They have a habit of popping out of the bracket that holds them in place.
You can extend it with a kit.
I'm freewheeling going down hill. Will not down shift.
you are workin g with a 700r4 not a th350 get it right
It is literally a 3-speed turbo 350 transmission.
That WAS a TH350 🤦🏻♂️. It's YOU that needs to get it right..
👍🏻👍🏻