Clive98
Forum Newbie
Posts: 12
Loc: Clive Iowa
Reg: 07-21-12
|
07-25-12 03:18 PM - Post#2252121
Can a Powerglide transmission operate normally without the kick-down linkage? I Know it won’t down shift at full throttle but does the linkage have any significant roll in shifting between 1st and 2nd during normal city driving.
My car doesn’t have the linkage and I am wondering if replacing it would solve a shifting problem I have or think I have. I don’t believe the transmission is shifting at all, to me it appears to be stuck in 2nd. Acceleration is not great but I don’t have any trouble getting up to 30-40 mph. When I accelerate up to the 50+ speeds I can never detect a shift or change in engine RPMs (no tack). At that speed I would think a very high RPM would be obvious if it were in 1st. I have seen no difference in that operation when I have selected D or L. I have tried starting out in L and moving it up to D as the speed increases and have selected L at a higher speed with no change like you would expect when downshifting.
If replacing the linkage would help that’s easy enough but if it sounds like a major overhaul would be needed then it becomes a question of should I repair the old or just save up for a new replacement?
I have a Bel Air 2 door hardtop with original 265 V8 2 barrel carb with original cast iron transmission. I want to keep it that way if I can but I don’t want to waste the money if the old transmissions don’t hold up even after a major overhaul.
Any suggestions?
|
This
Forum is Sponsored by
bobsclassicchevy.com
|
|
|
 57tim
"11th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 2476
Loc: Cameron, Wi, USA
Reg: 11-09-01
|
07-25-12 04:32 PM - Post#2252143
In response to Clive98
Its a 2 speed tranny so its always stuck in 2nd gear.
Without the kick down I think it will shift at a certain speed reguardless of the accleration you are attempting.
Hope this maked sense. 
|
Rick_L
Honored Member
Posts: 24730
Loc: Katy, Tx, USA
Reg: 07-06-00
|
07-25-12 05:04 PM - Post#2252156
In response to Clive98
I don't know about being stuck in high gear, but I would expect it to shift into high gear very quickly regardless of load or throttle position.
The other thing is that the throttle linkage regulates line pressure. Without it connected, the transmission thinks the engine is idling. Your transmission will burn up very quickly without the linkage connected.
|
Clive98
Forum Newbie
Posts: 12
Loc: Clive Iowa
Reg: 07-21-12
|
07-28-12 06:20 PM - Post#2253137
In response to 57tim
I don't understand when you say the transmission is always stuck in 2nd gear. I would think that if it was operating normally it would start out in 1st then as speed increased shift to 2nd. Then when you slowed or stopped it would go down to 1st.
Did you mean it was stuck in 2nd because the kick down linkage is missing?
More information please so I can understand what you mean.
Don
|
Clive98
Forum Newbie
Posts: 12
Loc: Clive Iowa
Reg: 07-21-12
|
07-28-12 06:31 PM - Post#2253143
In response to Rick_L
I don't know how long the kick down linkage had been missing before I got the car but since I have owned it only a few months the symptoms have not changed. I have mostly driven it around the neighborhood at slower speeds and only once got it up to 50 trying to detect a shift ether up or down. Do you think it could all ready be ruined due to the missing kick down linkage?
Is there a way to tell without going to a transmission shop?
Thanks for your reply.
Don.
|
56sedandelivery
Valued Contributor
Posts: 2558
Age: 61
Loc: Everett, Wa.
Reg: 02-26-08
|
07-29-12 12:15 PM - Post#2253368
In response to Clive98
First of all, you need to get your hands on an old MOTORS MANUAL, or similar (a library may have an old one). There are several "ports" on the side and top of the trans that are used to check pressures, that's why you need a manual to tell you where they are, and what the pressures need to be. Pressure controls the direct/high clutch pack, low and reverse bands. There is also a low band adjustment, but if that's not adjusted right, the trans will most likely slip in low. A stock trans needs the throttle pressure linkage, and not only for just the "kick down" or passing gear, as we used to call it. Now the bad news, the only way a later style automatic will bolt to the 265, is with an "adapter ring" for the starter to bolt to. The 265's did not have any provision for a block mounted starter (like klater trans use), and there's not enough of a pad to drill the block for one. Those adapters run about $100.00 from any of the tri-five vendors. Butch/56sedandelivery.
|
57tim
"11th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 2476
Loc: Cameron, Wi, USA
Reg: 11-09-01
|
07-29-12 01:10 PM - Post#2253381
In response to Clive98
I interpreted his post as expecting a shift to 3rd gear.
|
Clive98
Forum Newbie
Posts: 12
Loc: Clive Iowa
Reg: 07-21-12
|
08-01-12 11:12 AM - Post#2254530
In response to 56sedandelivery
Thanks for your reply I am still trying to resolve the issue. After talking to many people and looking through shop and repair manuals I have found that someone put 1957 linkage on this 1955 Bel Air. I guess the reason for the missing part was '57 parts won't work or they didn't know how to adjust it.
I will now have to replace all from the carb to the transmission and see how it operates after that.
Thanks to all that have replied.
Don
|
This
Forum is Sponsored by
bobsclassicchevy.com
|
|
|
Gain extra benefits by becoming a Supporting Member 
drtyler (4)
