2004R tv cable not allowing full throttle

[350Rocket]

On 2 of my cars (my 84 Cutlass and my 89 Caprice) I have this dilemma to do with the TV cable and throttle linkage setup. The 2004R in both cars are bone stock, but I adjusted the TV cable a little bit for firmer shifts. They both work the way I want as far as shift timing and feel go, but the tv cable won't allow full throttle. In the case of my Cutlass the secondaries don't open and even the primaries don't quite open all the way. The only clue was the fact that the car didn't make much air intake noise at WOT.

If I adjust the cable enough that the throttle will open all the way, the shifts will be really mushy and early. Anybody else get around this problem with any simple solution? Or would installing a shift kit be the only answer. I really want to convert to a manual trans eventually but it's not going to happen anytime soon. Thanks for any help.

Mike

 

[megaladon6]

how far did you tweak the TV cable? you can go about 1 click in each direction, but anymore than that will kill the trans. unfortunately most of the 200's were set up for smooth soft shifts. you can install a shift kit and lighten up the governor weights to improve the shifts.

 

[350Rocket]

I'm not sure exactly how many clicks, but definitely not far enough to "kill the transmission". I've had it set pretty well the same for about 8 years now in the Cutlass and I'm pretty sure it's the only reason that it's held up to my abuse. Variables have changed however as both my 2004R transmissions were removed from one rusted out car and installed in the replacement almost identical car. The original Cutlass had 3.73 gears and stock 305, the new one has the 350 Olds and had 3.73's for about a year and half then I changed it to 2.56's for gas mileage and I think I may have set the TV cable a little bit tighter after that since the taller gears make the shifts less firm.

I sort of know the "proper adjustment procedure", however the cable is likely stretched with age, the transmission is getting old, and I don't want the stock feeling shift cause I'm sure its going to wear out the trans much faster. I guess if I switch back to 3.73 gears again I will be able to loosen the cable enough for WOT and still get decent shift feel, either that or a shift kit.