Need Advice on 74 Cuda

[Barracuda4]

I'm a newbie. My car is a 74 Cuda 360. Motor has been rebuilt and is .030 over. In the rebuild, Comp Cams 20-214-4 was installed.  470 lift, 224 duration @ .050, 110 LSA.  Gearing is 3.55 sure grip, 275-60-15 rear tires ~26 1/2" tall. Stock exhaust manifolds.  Car has a six pack setup with kickdown linkage properly adjusted.

The problem is that the car has poor acceleration.  1-2 shifts are fine, but the shift into third is sometimes delayed until I take my foot off the gas.  The car doesn't kickdown like it should either when I punch it at 50-60 mph.  When I tried to determine the stall speed of the converter, it won't break the tires loose even at ~2800 rpm.  Tranny and converter are original to the car with 116K miles. I am thinking that the tranny needs to be rebuilt and a new converter installed.  Am I on the right track?  I went through a lot of posts on the forum, and I think I know the answer--but can you give me your informed opinions?

[NoMope Greg]

I can't help you with your problem - I'm  when it comes to auto transmissions - but welcome to the forum.  Please start a post in the Newbie section and tell us a little about yourself and show us some pics of your car.   

[Bullitt-]

I think your on the right track re: the torque converter but that doesn't seem to explain the shifting problems, so maybe 116K is time to git an overhaul...... but you should be able to break the tires as long as the tranny is not slipping,  How does she run in general?

We have a resident torqueflite expert on the board.... drop him a PM, here's his link
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?action=profile;u=3829

[moparmaniac59]

Hey Barracuda4,
Welcome to CC.com.  I think you'll find the right advice here. You need to go to the newbie section and introduce yourself. We love pictures here, so I'll be the first to say..... Keep us posted on the problem. It seems I've read a similar problem posted before and the torque converter may be part of your problem with your launch. You'll find great people here and lots of folks willing to help you get your car right. 


                                                              Matt B.

[Barracuda4]

Thanks.  She runs fine in general for a 74 with small valve heads.  Runs cool, shifts (when they happen) are crisp, but erratic at the 2-3 and the downshift.  Do you have a recommendation for a converter?

[moparmaniac59]

I'd recommend TCI for a good torque convertor, but I'd wait and see what Terry says in the way of advice. He is our resident tranny expert. he owns a transmission shop. Your car is beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing the pics. 


                                                                  Matt B.

[Bullitt-]

Some of the best converters, I'm told, are made right here in Alabama..
http://www.accperformance.com/    let them make a recommendation

Be sure your not low of fluid, may explain the shift problem......  Check Hot in Neutral...not Park.....don't ask me how I know. 

[Barracuda4]

LOL!  Been there. They say experience is really just making a lot of bad decisions in the past and then learning from them.  I guess I am VERY experienced!  I have a deep pan on her (one of the first things I did)--fluid is good and full.  I also know (for the same reason as you) that running a 727 without the linkage is asking for tranny work so I made sure of that too.  But no power.

[tactransman]

   What do you have for kick down linkage,stock, Lokar cable? Post some pics of the linkage if you can.

[Barracuda4]

It's stock.  At full throttle, the lever is all the way back at the tranny.  I had two BB six packs in automatic Road Runners in the past and know how important the adjustment is.  Still, I could be missing something or maybe it's not quite right.

I'll try to take some pics tomorrow afternoon and post them tomorrow evening.  Thanks for asking--I have watched the forum for some time and know that you have helped a LOT of others like me. 

[Barracuda4]

tactransman:  Here are the pics of the linkage.  I once again pulled the carb throttle lever all the way back and it moved the tranny linkage lever to it's stop position.  What do you think?  Any help would be great...

[tactransman]

I don't see a spring pulling the kick down rod forward towards the radiator,is there one on it?

[Bullitt-]

Appears to be some interference with the throttle cable as well.

[tactransman]

 

[Barracuda4]

tactransman:  Thanks for the great responses and the pic.  The gap on the pic is actually a hole.  I will see if I can fabricate a rod to keep the pivot more upright.  Also--no spring to pull the kickdown lever forward.  That was a great observation.

Do you think that the linkage is most of my problem?  And do you know if a '70 340 six pack one piece linkage fit on this setup?  Thanks again!