shift linkage q's sbc/ 4spd auto

[3jvj]

HELP. I'm about to start using the pig as my dd; need to clear up some stuff.
This thing is all go and no slow. The idle seems high; even for a sbc. I've also noticed it kicks down real easy, and I can tell I'm braking against the engine. If I shift without my foot FIRMLY on the brake it will jump. The tranny won't downshift until I'm almost stopped (or I've given myself a LONG stretch to wind down). I assume these are the signs of a kickdown linkage that is out of adjustment? I'm not sure what tranny is underneath it but I assume it is chevy. Any insight on proper adjustment for the linkage, and curb idle vs fast idle for a carter carb would be great. I'm not a racy kind of guy; I want this thing to shift out smooth and last for as long as possible. Judging by the warp in the front rotors; the last owner probably wasn't even aware of anything being wrong. I'm scared my wife will kill somebody or scare herself out of driving it, and I don't want that (well.....maybe..... ). Thanks


Let me translate for all of you die hard straight sixers out there-
MY PIGGY HAS TOO MUCH POWER. HOW DO I TURN IT DOWN? -JJ

 

[Pin_Head]

I would start by checking the carb linkage and adjusting the idle speed. The down shift sounds unrelated and may be normal depending on what tires and gear ration you have.

 

[3jvj]

It was indeed the idle screw, and it needed a new return spring as well. Good to go! Drives like a dream now.

Last night I paid off the pig, and immediately went to find a mechanic friend I used to wrench with at the ski resort. He's a hell of a guy and a Chevy nut; I knew he would be able to fine tune the pig. I began to explain my "new" truck to him as we walked out of the shop, and he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the cruiser. Low and behold HE WAS THE MAN WHO DID THE V-8 CONVERSION TEN YEARS EARLIER. Talk about a score! I got the full scoop and every answer I was looking for. They spared no expense when it was done, and it is a t400 tranny. Evidently the cruiser was part of a middle aged pissing contest between three guys. One built a 280z with a 383, one built an h1 with a supercharged 454, and the cruiser was the third. He said the ticket came just shy of 7K for the install. I'm jazzed to know some more details on this pig! Now I KNOW I stole it . And now that I own it outright; I'm driving it like I stole it . This things got BALLS. I LOVE IT.

Now if I can just get the damn windows to work , or the freaking radio to turn on .-Josh

 

[SirHamblett]

did you say that thing is a 4spd automatic? One of things that I was worried about before buying my '72 pig is that I've never driven a stick. My wife and I have always been Honda owners and never had any expirience with one. How much do you think a conversion would be? I really considering doing it if it's not terribly expensive, that way my wife would be able to use it as well.

 

[3jvj]

It's a 4sp auto. Aside from figuring out how to use a ratchet shifter my wife used it last week while I was out of town and loved it. Fourth gear puts it at about 2,000 rpms on the block. I don't know how high a small block chevy will rap out but it doesn't seem to be pushing hard at all; cruises nicely. There's a ton of info in the faq section about conversions. It's all about a donor, shop space, time, patience, attention to details (fan shroud/ radiator position etc). I don't even think it's about the money; unless you don't have the other things- then it's all about the $$.

A conversion gone wrong will leave a sour taste in your mouth and a dead piggy in your garage. I assume toyota makes a 4 spd auto tranny that will mate with your existing parts (? maybe? anyone?). If you go that route you can enjoy your rig now and plan on the conversion later. Your other option might be a donor fj forty that has had the conversion done to it. If you can find one cheap enough (say $1,500 rust bucket) you would come out way ahead in the deal, and a die hard sixer guy will give you half of it back to take the old block off your hands. All in all that's what I would do; find a donor.

 

[cardinal fang]

Here are your options for automatics.....chevy automatiics.
TH350, vacuum controled shifting with the regulator on the tranny and kickdown cable attached to the carb. Three speed tranny, no overdrive.

Th450, big daddy of the th350, more heavy duty, same type of shifting.

700r4, getting to be the new 'wave' in automatics in cruisers and jeeps. It has overdrive which I like and others do also. It uses a cable attached to the carb/TBI unit to shift the tranny. Adjusting the cable properly is very important to make the tranny function properly. It has lockup which locks the torque converter at high speed and prevents the converter from slippy, which increases gas milage and reduces heat. The 700R4 can be had from ebay all day for less $1k. Good deal.

Fl60e/4l80e are computer controlled trannys that are like the 700r4, but with the computer.

You could also go with the 3FE and automatic out of a fj62. Fuel injected and autmatic.

Expect to spend $$$ for whatever choice you make.