TH400 kick down solenoid questions
 

I took my truck for a bit of a shake down cruise today since doing a few mods and adjustments. I didnt think think the trans kick down was working quite right so when I got home I put a volt meter on it. It was not coming on until the pedal was mashed hard and the carpet was keeping it from doing that. I adjusted the kickdown plunger that the throttle hits and made it kick in sooner.

I took it for a test drive and when I mash the throttle at around a lower RPM it kicks in ok and pulls decent. When going 30-40 and I stomp on it it pulls but it is gradual and pours it on steady. Is this how it is supposed to work? It wont throw me back in the seat or do burnouts. I take it that is just the nature of the three speed and it having more torque than giddy up.

When I am driving and I reach down and pull the plunger by the throttle manually then I can feel it drag down a bit

Re: TH400 kick down solenoid questions
 

Allegedly on the under dash version you first make sure that you are achieving wide open throttle just as the pedal hits the floor. Then loosen the switch and push the pedal to the floor. Tighten switch. The switch should be maxed out as well as WOT. Been a long time since I did one so that might not be exact.

Re: TH400 kick down solenoid questions
 

If you are going 30 or 40 and are in third gear and push the pedal to the floor, it will immediately shift to 2nd gear. After you let off the pedal some and arrived at a higher speed you will feel it shift back to 3rd gear.

Re: TH400 kick down solenoid questions
 

I think the issue is there isnt really an issue. The truck is geared at 3:08 in the diff and 1st gear is high anyway. It is a truck and not a hot rod and was never meant to be. I have adjusted everything and checked the secondaries, the kick down, the trans pressure switch, tuning, air flow and everything in between

Re: TH400 kick down solenoid questions
 

L47 BBC usually came with a 3.56 axle ratio, if equipped with an automatic. Are you sure you have a 3.08? it would be on the SPID, if so.

Re: TH400 kick down solenoid questions
 

This is the detent switch adjustment copied exactly from the 1972 Service Manual:
1 Install the switch as shown in Figure 3T.
2. After installing the switch, press the switch plunger as far forward as possible. This presets the switch for adjustment. The switch will then adjust itself with the first wide-open throttle application of the accelerator pedal.

Re: TH400 kick down solenoid questions
 

My Q-Jet was so worn that I replaced it with an Edelbrock AVS. I'm looking for an adapter for the kds. Any ideas? I'm feeling lazy (tired), atm.

Re: TH400 kick down solenoid questions
 

Here is a USA made product:

https://temeculasouth.com/

Re: TH400 kick down solenoid questions
 

^ Thank you!

Re: TH400 kick down solenoid questions
 

I re-wired it to the IGN wire with a fuse. No difference in how it runs but now I dont have to worry about it.