Need help figuring linkages on an AOD -TV rod and edelbrock.

Topic: Need help figuring linkages on an AOD -TV rod and edelbrock. (Read 2965 times) previous topic - next topic

Need help figuring linkages on an AOD -TV rod and edelbrock.

May 31, 2015, 07:18:25 PM

Hi,
Well I am at my next road block that is a bit confusing for me doing it the first time. Here is my situation list and also an embedded video of the linkage I need help with. This was originally a cfi (fuel injected 2 barrel carb base) and removed for a 4 barrel carb install. The linkages and rod have not been adjusted yet for this new setup since I was not clear how to be sure it was correctly connected to the new carb.

* First of all, My throttle peddle in the car is not making a full throw on the carb linkage. The peddle has about half it's cable travel as free play and other half operates carb linkage and does not reach full open. Can the peddle play be adjusted out so it fits the carb throttle throw. From idle to full throttle.?

* Next would be the TV rod setup. Right now the rod is too short obviously(see video). The TV rod also bumps the exhaust a little on the trans lever, but I think I can figure that out with a little linkage fabrication and adjusting.
I think the TV rod will have to be modded so when it is installed, it has the room to make the travel that is required for it to work correctly. These rods can be too close to the motor and bump the valve cover or the firewall. This will need to be figured out I guess. I have some linkage from the wrecking yard that I can possibly use. For example; cutting the TV rod end off a few inches and tapping or welding an adjustable linkage rod on the end with a cup for a ball joint that will be placed on carb linkage. I am not sure what would be the best way for my application and I definitely do not want it hitting firewall or engine either. The selection lever on transmission is facing forward while in park right now.

I want to make sure I have the linkages correctly connected to carb so they make the complete stroke from idle to full throttle and that the TV rod is added correctly on the linkage lever too. I hear too many times that the trany could be damaged if anything is not setup right.
If you can help, I appreciate your time. If you have a photo of how mine is to be setup, that would help with the explanation. Using laymen terms until I catch on to the theory of this crazy thing would also be helpful. I have some good mechanical ability from building this engine from nothing, but have not been shown per example on how this part is to be put together.

Short video that shows my linkage.
[video]https://youtu.be/8B6GwL6sIKI[/video]

Need help figuring linkages on an AOD -TV rod and edelbrock.

Reply #1 – June 01, 2015, 01:26:29 AM

Most people i know running a carb and aod use the lokar kit. Edelbrock use to sell adapters for carbs, but i really have not read up on it too much.

The aod linkage doesn't have to be quite as exact as most people say. Most guys here adjust it so od kicks on at about 45 under low throttle. My old clapped out cars have all kicked in at 41 or so mph and seem to work fine.

What burns them us is having no connection to the aod so it doesn't know what gear to be in or which clutches it needs.

Need help figuring linkages on an AOD -TV rod and edelbrock.

Reply #2 – June 01, 2015, 08:16:32 AM

lokar tv cable..it needs to also be pressure adjusted to work correctly.
you can also use a lokar throttle cable

Need help figuring linkages on an AOD -TV rod and edelbrock.

Reply #3 – June 01, 2015, 12:16:10 PM

Quote from: Haystack;448510

Most people i know running a carb and aod use the lokar kit. Edelbrock use to sell adapters for carbs, but i really have not read up on it too much.

The aod linkage doesn't have to be quite as exact as most people say. Most guys here adjust it so od kicks on at about 45 under low throttle. My old clapped out cars have all kicked in at 41 or so mph and seem to work fine.

What burns them us is having no connection to the aod so it doesn't know what gear to be in or which clutches it needs.

Agreed, as long as transmission doesn't slip during shifts, you're golden...

With TV cable loose/broken there is insufficient pressure to apply clutches/bands firmly enough to hold gears, trans slips... All the while average Joe has not a clue what's happening, car feels slower so he gags the gas and fries transmission...

Need help figuring linkages on an AOD -TV rod and edelbrock.

Reply #4 – June 03, 2015, 02:51:01 AM

So Lokar is the best choice? They seem so over priced with their stuff. This would replace that disconnected rod in the video or connect to it?. These rods and cables and levers and brackets and linkages all mix me up sometimes. Including the throttle linkage, there are 2 connections to the carb linkage. Now one is connected right to the throttle linkage in tandem and I just connected them 2 as a unit to the carb and tried to temporarily make sure they were not pulling or pushing the throttle lever on the carb. I checked in 3 manuals about this stuff and heck if they show anything specific on adjustment unless your running the stock equipment and that is hardly covered in these shiznit manuals.
Now to just get my mind wrapped around these linkages, the rod that connects to the trany that is disconnected in the video linked above is called a "kick down TV rod" correct? I see it called kick down or TV and want to try and get into the habit of the correct name for it. What would we call the linkage that is connected with the throttle cable and runs through the firewall under the dash. Is this the cruise control cable? lmao. I feel like an idiot sometimes on these linkages.
I also think I might have a problem...the converter might of slipped forward during install of the engine. I checked and checked the converter was seated correctly and it was according to measurement, seated in. Though after joining the 2 the engine will not turn, so I am fearing the worst for now on a front pump destruction if it did slip off the gear, *&^%$.
I am going to pull the trany out, which should take a couple hours and then check the damage if this is what happened. I guess I am learning by mistake on this one. I didn't hear any clunks or cracks while joining the 2 and I was able to turn the converter to join the bolts, but who knows. From what I have read, my symptoms with the engine unable to turn by hand points right at the pump issue. It almost makes me want to replace it for a manual trany at this point, :hick: SOB.
Well, this will give me a chance to go thru the trany and look for anything that might create a premature problem and install the kit I have here. It seems that this has happened to several people from what I have read so far.
I'll check on those Lokar kits and thanks for the info. I guess for the price and to have it right is not too much to fork over.

Need help figuring linkages on an AOD -TV rod and edelbrock.

Reply #5 – June 13, 2015, 07:26:43 PM

Well things are progressing with the AOD trany. I installed a street level shift kit and inspected the transmission for other possible issues and it seems to be it good working order. I was very surprised that after 30 years the trany was is such good working order.

The transmission was a c to clean with all the miles and years of grime leeched on it's case. A good wire brush, brake cleaner, and a soft wire wheel installed on a drill made the job manageable.

I replaced the front pump drive gears since it did receive a little damage from my ignorance on the converter installation. A cheap lesson learned at only $25 for all the gears and seals needed and purchased from Wittrans.com. I also replaced front and rear seals so I don't have to clean the driveway every week. I also replaced the trany mount because it had become delaminated from the metal mount. I installed a B&M drain plug kit to make the next time I pull trany much easier.

Still working on the linkage system and checking out as many ideas online I can find. There seems to be a common item that rises on this and that is the Lokar rod arm linkage. I really don't want to switch to a cable and have to adjust the thing. I purchased a pressure gauge for the trany, typical oil pressure gauge with the word trany written on it, lol. I will install a trany temp gauge also so I can monitor this aspect as well.

Need help figuring linkages on an AOD -TV rod and edelbrock.

Reply #6 – June 17, 2015, 03:28:06 PM

Seems the AOD TV rod version is sort of a rare linkage from what I continue to find. Everywhere I look they always are talking about the cable version and rarely do I see anything on the linkage rod.

I check into the linkage and Lokar has a racket going with their kits. In addition to prices that are hard to swallow.
They do have these items for an aftermarket eddy carb install...

The TV and throttle cable is sold as a kit, but strangely they don't include the selector shaft arm and put an unreal price of $45 on it as well. What is this made of real 24kt gold? lol seems ridiculously high and it should be included in the hi-tech kickdown kit shown. Also the throttle cable bracket is not included in the kit too and the price isn't to bad, but why design a kit if it does not include everything needed for the AOD.

I just decided to go the budget route with the throttle valve corrector and just maintain my TV rod with an adjuster modification welded on the one carb end of the TV rod and probably have to bend or add on the rod some to make the pass by the header.
Just the flat stamped carb bracket corrector was almost $25.

Anyway, we'll see how this corrector corrects the throw issue with the TV and carb when it arrives.
Does anyone know if the cruz control gets affected with an eddy swop? The Edelbrock specifies the carb is compatible with the stock cruz control, so I guess we'll find out what surprises come up when it gets hooked up.