No kickdown on Pontiac Th400

Asked by TCFirebird68 Feb 15, 2019 at 12:05 AM about the 1968 Pontiac Firebird Coupe

Question type: General

I have a 1968 firebird convertible. It has a
400 motor. I recently acquired TH400
transmission out of a 1969 Catalina. I
installed it in my car and am getting ready to
fire it up. But I noticed it does not have a
kick down. Is that right or is it missing?
Does it even have one in that year? How is it
suppose to kick down.

2 Answers
103,445

KenF answered 5 years ago

TH400s have an electrical kickdown, not a mechanical linkage. Google "TH400 kickdown switch" for part sources. On models that came with the TH400 back then, there was an electrical switch that was mounted at carb on throttle linkage, when the linkage was at WOT (wide open throttle), it connected and supplied 12V to a solenoid in the tranny that did two things, increased line pressure to prevent damage to clutch and downshift tranny (depending on gear). Lots of TH400 retrofits involve installing that switch as well. Don't run tranny without it, as again you can damage clutch due to lack of increased line pressure.

1 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • No kickdown on Pontiac Th400 2 Answers

    I have a 1968 firebird convertible. It has a 400 motor. I recently acquired TH400 transmission out of a 1969 Catalina. I installed it in my car and am getting ready to fire it up. But I noticed it...

    1968 Pontiac Firebird Coupe

    -

    General

  • No start on my 1990 pontiac firebird 3 Answers

    My 1990 Pontiac Firebird will not start a has spark fuel it cranks put a new coil and to try and fix did not help still as power to the coil will not start does have a security system set up by car...

    1990 Pontiac Firebird Base

    -

    General

  • The Yellow colors on a 1976 Pontiac Firebird 1 Answer

    I was wondering if anyone could help me out. When I was a kid, my Aunt had a 76 Yellow Firebird. It was kind of a malibu-esque surfer yellow. Kind of faded. It doesnt look like the bright goldenrod ye...

    1976 Pontiac Firebird

    -

    General

  • pontiac firebird 1997 1 Answer

    where is the location the washer pump and the hoses that go to windshield in a pontiac 97 firebird?

    1997 Pontiac Firebird Base

    -

    General

  • How many pontiac firebird. .in 1992 were produced 1 Answer

    1992 pontiac formula firebird with trans am package kit for the record

    1992 Pontiac Firebird Formula

    -

    General

Shortcuts

Search Pontiac Firebird Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Samuel Moore
    Reputation
    1,600
  • #2
    taver91
    Reputation
    1,340
  • #3
    Paul Martin
    Reputation
    1,280
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Camaro
20 Great Deals out of 281 listings starting at $7,995
Used Chevrolet Corvette
27 Great Deals out of 1,082 listings starting at $15,000
Used Ford Mustang
58 Great Deals out of 1,366 listings starting at $4,995
Used Pontiac GTO
3 listings
Used Dodge Charger
39 Great Deals out of 725 listings starting at $5,995
Used Pontiac Grand Prix
1 listing
Used Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
4 Great Deals out of 35 listings starting at $49,995
Used Chevrolet Impala
6 Great Deals out of 94 listings starting at $3,495

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.