wide open throttle problem

[Otto Skorzeny]

That's what I thought. Take a look at the close up photos of mine. There's no evidence that the lever has been cut. I think this switch is from another vehicle.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Well, I finally located and installed a correct, working kickdown switch. I had to bend the rod a little to keep it from dragging on the manifold and hanging up the throttle.

Can anyone tell me how I can tell if it's adjusted properly? I looked at the photos in this thread of a working setup and counted 8 threads on the turnbuckle. I set mine to the same and snapped it in place. I'm sure each car is slightly unique but what's the procedure for correct adjustment.

Since I've never had a working one, I've been driving my car for 2 1/2 years without one.

It definitely takes off faster when floored and chirps the tires but is there an "optimal" setting from the factory?

[tera155]

Hope this photo helps from my car.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Thanks, can you post a pic showing the rest of the rod and the adjusting threads?

[bcroe]

I became familiar with that switch mechanism 3 decades ago. You can test it with the "click" test. In a
quiet garage, turn on the ign and slowly pushdown on the throttle. Coming off idle hear a click from
the stator solenoid as it releases going to converter low stall, or economy mode. Continuing near full
throttle, you should hear both the kickdown and stator solenoids activate. The stator in performance
mode adds more performance to the downshifted gear.

I used to have some of those mechanical switches for historic purposes, but I gave them away.

Besides the mechanical issues you have already observed, the switch only activates the switch pitch
stator solenoid at idle or near full throttle. I use an electronic switch pitch control which adds
performance and smoothness over the entire driving range. A kickdown is still needed, I use the
70s style mounted above the gas pedal. Today this setup is on all 5 of my cars; I got tired of
regular 3 speeds. The first car not owned by me it was installed on, was a 66 Toronado. I have
the owners report of the improvement. Bruce Roe

[Otto Skorzeny]

I tested it before driving it and heard the two clicks as I moved the lever from the front stop toward the firewall.

How do I know when the rod is adjusted to the correct length?

[bcroe]

I tested it before driving it and heard the two clicks as I moved the lever from the front stop toward the firewall.

How do I know when the rod is adjusted to the correct length?

There should be 3 clicks, one off idle and 2 near WOT. I recommend doing the final test from the
gas pedal, because there is enough slack in the system that the results may not be the same
as pulling on the linkage on the engine. If all this works consistently, I would say its pretty close.

Failure of the trans to go into high stall at idle will tend to stall the engine and increase
creeping. Bruce Roe

[Otto Skorzeny]

OK, thanks. I'll go check it that way.

I drove it and it didn't bog down or anything but since I'm not familiar with driving one that's hooked up, I don't know what to look for.

[bcroe]

OK, thanks. I'll go check it that way. I drove it and it didn't bog down or anything
but since I'm not familiar with driving one that's hooked up, I don't know what to look for.

Otto Skorzeny, I received a message from toro.org, but since I don't
know your email, I'm replying here.

KICKDOWN works the same in all cars, electric downshift near full throttle. After
1967 all but Cad used a switch inside, above the pedal; GM 1242101 still
available. A 68 Toro type pedal/switch will bolt right into a 66.

Driving a 66 factory setup won't do anything different because the SWitch Pitch
feature isn't activated in normal driving. In my cars SWP is used across the
driving range, so it can pep up a car and smooth shifts. Sometimes downshifts
won't be needed. I have a 66 Toro SWitch Pitch transmission, in my 79 Eldo.
The troublesome 66 factory mechanical switch was junked, and the SWP
function uses an electronic controller. With timers and torque sensing, its much
more responsive. So I can't advise how to fix the 66 mechanical switch. There
are pictures on my PHOTOBUCKET, album SWITCH PITCH TRANSMISSIONS.

http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/L71/bcroe/

click on an Album
click on a picture to enlarge + description

Bruce Roe bcroe@juno.com