by dave-r » 09 May 2001 9:41 To adjust the kickdown lever you must first push a drill or screwdriver through the holes in the lever pivot on the back of the intake manifold. This lines it up for correct adjustment.
Next adjust the vertical lever that goes down to the trans until it just long enough to reach the pivot when the kickdown lever on the trans is pulled all the way forward. It may help to have a friend to hold the trans kickdown lever forward while you do this adjustment.
When you have done that you can now adjust the length of the lever that goes from the pivot to the carb. You need to start with it too long and then shorten it until it will just slide onto the carb when the carb is held shut.
Now remove the drill/screwdriver from the pivot and test drive the car. Note at what rpm it will change gear when at wide open throttle on the road. Please bear in mind that The factory tach in most Challengers is very inaccurate.
If you want to lower the shift point a bit. Shorten the rod to the carb.
If you want to increase the shift point just lengthen the lever.
Only adjust the length of the carb rod to do this. Never change the length of the vertical rod that you first adjusted.
Hope this makes some kind of sense.