727 Kickdown linkage

[JeffC]

Hi all,

Just bought a (new) '72 Challenger clone, 440 slapstick. It doesnt appear the kickdown is working. Obviously being new to this (in '75 I had a 1970 Cuda 440 sixpack, wish I had it now, I could retire). Anyway, the linkage appears to be there and I can see it moving a lever on top of the trans (driver's side), but no downshift. Any ideas? Does it need to be yanked and sent in for overhaul?

Another topic. Tach doesnt work. There is a Mallory YL-578HP distributor installed with a Mallory ProMaster coil. Are they compatable with the Rallye tach? Or should I can them and shift over to a Mopar elect dist setup?

Thanks in advance
Jeff

[BIG MIKE]

try adjusting the band.....

some electronic like msd don't work with the mopar tach streaight out.  i know that msd make a tach adaptor that changes the waves so the rally tach works.  so mallory might has something like that...

[Chryco Psycho]

Welcome
 Make sure the link is pushed all the way back at wide open throttle , if not you need to adjust it

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Hello JeffC,
  Welcome aboard.   As for your question about the tach., next to the clock, that is the gauge most likely to call it quits. You might want to check the wiring first in case it was messed with. One wire should have +12 volts on it, and the other goes to the "-" side of the coil. The case of the gauge is grounded, so that's not a problem. I can give you the name of someone who rebuilds and calibrates these, if you need it. Good luck with your new purchase.

 Mike

[JeffC]

Thanks for the replies. On the transmission, flushed it, then changed the filter and topped it off. All the bands looked good and after the servicing, the kickdown works great.

On the tach, thanks for the wiring info. Waiting on my assembly manuals and wiring diagrams, then I'll tear into the rallye dash.

Thanks again, this is a good forum.

[JeffC]

Nearly forgot, if you could give me the info on repair/calibration of gauges I would appreciate it.
Thanks

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Hi JeffC,
   I've been into my gauges a couple of times now for different reasons, and I'll gladly walk you through it if you need it. Your first discovery will probably be that the wiring harness doesn't leave you much room to get in behind the gauges and disconect everything. You just have to disconnect the shortest wires first, and work from there. PLEASE be sure to disconect the battery before you begin, as you don't want to put the "+" side of the amp gauge against any metal surfaces while it's "live". The speedo cable should probably be the first thing to take off. As for the tach.. There will be a screw on the back that is longer than the other 4. That one should be connected to +12 volts. A shorter screw will have a tab on it that should connect to a gray wire that goes to the "-" side of the coil. If this, or any of your gauges are dead, then check out tachman.com He has helped me a couple of times. Good luck.

  Mike

[JeffC]

Mike,

Sounds good...just received the Mopar Manuals on CD-ROM. Gosh I hate these things, wish I could  have it in the old fashioned book form. Had a Mercedes with CD manuals, didnt like them either.

On pulling the Rallye gauge cluster, is it necessary to lower the steering column first?

Am leaving to drive to Michigan for the holidays, so will tear into the dash next Saturday. The Tach needle is resting on about 800 rpm, so I'm guessing it may be shot. The primary ignition system is Mallory with a Promaster coil. I'm assuming that a coil, is a coil, is a coil, and assuming the factory 8K tach is ok and hooked to the (-) side of the coil and has power, it should work.

The previous owner had a Sun tach hose clamped to the steering column along with mechanical oil pressure and water temp gauges screwed into the console. I removed all three of those, and found the factory oil pressure gauge was just unhooked. Connected it up and it works fine. Will trace the wiring out for the water temp, and swap the mechanical water temp sending unit out for an electrical one and see what happens. Who knows, I might just get lucky.

Thanks again for the help. Wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
Jeff

[Chryco Psycho]

Have a great holiday Jeff
 dropping the column helps a lot , it is easy to loosen the 2 bolts & it gives a lot of room to get the gauges out
 the water temp wire is violet in color