Turbo 400 Electric Kick Down

[Chuck G.]

I've got a problem with my 69 THM 400. When you push the "pedal to the metal", the lever which pulls the throttle cable comes back and fully opens the carb. The lever is also supposed to hit the electric "kick down" to put the car into "passing gear". I must have a mix and match situation, because my lever will not hit the electric switch. A previous owner attempted to "fix" this by brazing a 1/4 inch thick piece of bar stock onto the throttle lever to "thicken" it, in an attempt to make it hit the switch.

The parts book shows two switches, one for 68-69, and another for 70-72. It also lists two switch brackets, one for 68-69 and the other for 70-72. The aftermarket sources that I have checked sell only the switch listed for 70-72. Paragon reproduces a throttle lever for 68-69. Has anyone run into this before? I would need to get my throttle lever to come back at least another 1/2 to 3/4 inch if the bar stock was removed. Suggestions ? All help appreciated. Chuck Gongloff

[Tom Freeman]

Re: Turbo 400 Electric Kick Down

Chuck, I had the same problem on my '73, the throttle lever shaft was coming up about a 1/2 inch short of the kick down switch. I did a quick fix by putting a piece of rubber tubing over the shaft on the switch. Now the throttle lever will make contact like it should. I know this is not "correct" but it works great.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Turbo 400 Electric Kick Down

Thanks Tom; I already did the rubber tubing trick. It still barely touches the switch, even though it has the extra 1/4 inch bar stock welded to the accelerator lever. Something is seriously incorrect in my arrangement. The carb opens all the way when I put the pedal to the floor. I can't depress the accelerator pedal down any further. Carpeting does not appear to be a factor either. Chuck

[Scott]

Re: Turbo 400 Electric Kick Down

This is very strange. I installed a 400 kickdown switch on a '78 vette that I used as the activation switch for a Nitrous system with no problems. The gas pedal bracket on the '78 already had the holes in it for the 400 switch and everything worked just fine. Is it possible that the switch is worn out and the plunger has fallen. Is the bracket bent? The switch had some index tabs on the side that located it on the pedal bracket, are those still there?

[Chuck G.]

Re: Turbo 400 Electric Kick Down

Hello Scott; I guess I'm going to have to find a 68-69 automatic and do some measurements. The hole and the index tabs for the switch are there on the bracket. The bracket does not appear to be bent or modified. The switch "clicks" if you operate it manually. Chuck

[Edward M.]

Re: Turbo 400 Electric Kick Down

I had a similar problem with my 73 many years ago. The gas pedal just managed to touch the switch under full throttle. I removed the switch and took it apart. It wasn't supposed to come apart (non repairable item I guess) but it came apart pretty easily. Once I got it apart, I could see that there was an adjustment capability. The adjustment capability was obvious once the switch was apart. I adjusted it, and it worked fine ever since.