BoneHead Attack!
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Transmission Question
My 79 will not down shift when in 3rd gear. It has a 350th transmission. I found the kickdown cable was broken. It will shifts into 3rd gear by the time I'm at 20mph. Will this cable take care of that problem also? Was is the purpose of the detent switch located near the gas pedal? I just purchased this car and this switch is missing. I did notice that there is a connector in that same area, but could not find the switch. Is it possible this was 4 speed at some point? Can't see why someone would remove the switch and not replace it.
Thanks for your help
Thanks for your help
Last edited by ldicanzio; May 5, 2012 at 10:38 PM. Reason: Information Update
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I never heard of a detent switch located near the gas pedal. My 77 with a TH350 trans has a detent cable coming directly from the transmission to the throttle linkage at the carburetor. You need that cable to make your trans downshift from third at higher speeds.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 201
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From: some hole in the ground town- camp verde:) arizona
on thm400s the downshift at higher speeds was controlled electronically. on 350s a cable as noted. don't know anything about the switch itself though. replacing the cable should help. sometimes my car will upshift to 3rd around 20mph but only with a very light foot, though i can see how it might do it constantly with a broken cable. just out of curiosity did you find this out by stomping on the gas pedal and stalling the engine? 
ask me how i know lol
ask me how i know lol
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
I have a 79 with a 350 transmission. There never was a detent swtich on a 79 near the gas pedal. You can adjust the transmission shift point with the detent cable from the carb. I have a Lokar throttle and detent cable. I adjusted the down shift to what was comfortable for me.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thanks for all of the good information. My kickdown cable is broken so I'll replace it. I was looking at a Haynes repair manual and it showed a picture of the detent switch near the gas pedal. I guess the best info comes from you guys. Thanks again for the info.
