Mopar Muscle Association UK

Advice please, I'm new to all this so treat me gently,
I've got a 1968 Dart 270, the bloke i got it from had the 2 barrel replaced with a 4 and when collected the kick down mech was not connected, that sorted plus fluid level correct and low band adjusted as per the book i still have no kick down

Welcome to the forum Lance

Do you know how much use your Dart had with the kickdown disconnected ? Too many miles with no kickdown fitted will cause problems and you may be staring a gearbox stripdown in the face if you are unlucky. Dunc or Blue are the guys to ask on here

It could be just that because of the new carb/manifold the kickdown is not going back far enough into the transmission.

Try setting it up this way.

Disconnect the kickdown linkage from the carb.
Open the throttle as wide as possible.
Now pus the kickdown back as far as possible and line it up with the carb.

The idea is to make sure that when the carb is wide open the kickdown is as far back as possible without binding.

PS

Make sure the throttle cable opens the carb fully as well and that the kickdown linkage does not foul against anything.

Thanks for the advice, I'll certainly give your suggestion a try and post the results.

Don't think its had lots of use as the guy was strapped for cash, I drove it back from east London and probably another 150miles on top of that so about 300 in total for me... also tried some adjustments on Dave,s advice now tries to kick-down but changes back up almost instantly???

Lance wrote:Don't think its had lots of use as the guy was strapped for cash, I drove it back from east London and probably another 150miles on top of that so about 300 in total for me... also tried some adjustments on Dave,s advice now tries to kick-down but changes back up almost instantly???

did you get it sussed then???
looks like a lovly motor though have to post some pics up

Lance, there should be some adjustment available via the threaded rod where the kickdown rod is connected to the throttle linkage next to the carb. I'd probably look for subtle adjustment there, as it can make quite a difference. Also, have you got a return spring on that same lever?

Pete sorry for the delayed reply, been twatin around with adjustments but nuthin seems to make any significant difference Taken latest advice from Miles ,I'm now convinced its just shagged out, on holiday for 2 weeks now so when i get back all refreshed I'm goin for a rebuild kit, tear the thing to pieces and sort it once and for all, waisted enough time now i need to move on, I know this is the wrong forum but any leads in the direction of a decent 340 or a 360 motor would be cool??

I'll take n post pictures if or when it ever stops rainin!!!!!!

Try Cannonball for a 360 motor. he had one for sale a little while back. He deals in Mopar parts and cars.

kl hope its stops raining then lol, will be a lovly little motor with a 360 in it, are you going to the nats?

Probably not, looking at the bug jam pics. Anyway, a 360 in your car will give you a lot more torque than the 318 (unless your Kev, of course!).

Any suggestions regards a overhaul kit my 904 trans???

I was about to post a new thread when I read this. My 904 trans was rebuilt by hauser racing before I bought the car, but when I bought it the kick down linkage was disconnected. I connected it but it didn't kick down. I put an extra bolt in the slider, effectively shortening the slider, and it kicked down lovely. After fighting to fit headers (now removed!) I noticed it was changing up really late - 35+ into 2nd & 65+ into 3rd, but I didn't notice this before so I assume I bent something. Changes were quit harsh as well.
I have now adjusted the linkage, and it changes lovely 28 into 2nd & 38 into 3rd, but it doesn't kickdown I did notice when I had the linkage off that the arm on the box seemed to have a bit of free play when you pushed it towards the frot of the car, but the manual says it has to be at its stop to operate correctly? Adjusted like this, there is no way it will achieve full movement to full kick down position - HELP!!
So i have a few questions;
1) What is acceptable shift speeds?
2) Which adjustment is critical, trans arm at it's stop when throttle closed or lever at it's full stop with throttle fully open? Or both?
3) I have noticed that my linkage has new ends grafted on so i am not sure there is enough adjustment, does anyone have a spare they want to sell me?
Cheers
Kev

New lever wil help make things easier to start with,
but as said before...
...Carb linkage fully open , trans lever pushed all the wayback, adjust kickdown rod to fit carb linkage, that should do it, if its the wrong lever or ends this will and can cause problems.
check against another the same ??