Brian Stone

I just put a 429 Ford engine with the original C6 behind it in my dad's 1970 LTD. Before putting it in, I put a B&M street/strip shift kit in the transmission. It shifts perfect--nice and firm on both shifts, so that part worked out great. My expertise is in engines and manual transmissions, so this is all new territory for me.
The problem I have is that it won't downshift when I put it on the floor. The downshift linkage is adjusted right and engages fully, but it stays in high gear when I floor it. When I put the shift kit in I paid close attention to make sure the downshift lever still pushed on the pin in the transmission that it engages (the lever also springs back on its own like it should without the linkage to the carb attached).
Anyone have an idea what could be wrong?
I also need to adjust the shift point--at full throttle it shifts about 4000 rpm--about the time it starts to make power. How do I go about changing that to where it will shift around 5500rpm?

__________________
1970 LTD 2dr. HT 429 4bbl
1988 F-150 4x4 short bed 5-speed
1989 F-350 4x4 regular cab SRW with 7.5 and 5-speed

atec77

Crtainly sounds like the kick down is not adjusted correcly , have you tried altering it ?

Brian Stone

I have adjusted the kickdown rod--I had someone hold the pedal on the floor, and it pushes the kickdown rod all the way down as far as it will go.

__________________
1970 LTD 2dr. HT 429 4bbl
1988 F-150 4x4 short bed 5-speed
1989 F-350 4x4 regular cab SRW with 7.5 and 5-speed

jas24zzk

maybe you need to set it up so the kickdown reaches end travel before the accelerator pedal.

Cheers
Jas

atec77

you should have about 1/2 " clear under the pedal , if that doesn't sort it then you have another problem , when was the tranmission last serviced ?