carburator kickdown

[cdg1984]

I have a chevy 350 with an edelbrock 600 electric choke in my 83 cutlass and when i stomp the accelerator i dont get much of a kickdown effect at all. The car originally had a buick 231 3.8 so im guess the gear ratio is around 2.41 or even worse. My brother is a mechanic and said i might not be getting much of a kickdown because of how weak the gearing is. Could that be true? I used to have a 76 culass with the original olds 350 ( not sure of the gear ratio) and original 4bbl carb and got a hell of a kickdown with that.

 

[megaladon6]

i'm assuming you have the 3spd th350?
check the vac hose to the trans and adjust the cable. but it may just be the way it is.

 

[billyjack]

While the gear ratio will affect how hard you accelerate, you should get a noticeable "kickdown" with any rear gear. First check your kickdown cable (TH350) or TV cable (TH200), and make sure it's adjusted and functioning, so the trans downshifts on application of hard throttle. Next step is relevant only if your Holley has vacuum operated secondaries. Take it for a ride without the air cleaner, floor it and listen. If you hear a rush of air, but a hesitation, your secondaries are opening too quick. If it's just smooth acceleration without any additional intake noise, your secondaries are either not opening, or opening too slow. I could walk you thru a Q-Jet adjustment, but you'll have to find out the Holley info on your own. Good luck.

Bill