Powerglide linkage ?

I have a '65 powerglide out of an Impala. It was a floorshift so the shifter rod went toward the back, and then there is kind of a Rube Goldberg linkage going up to the carb. Is the linkage to the carb just the kickdown in place of a cable, or does it actually control more of the trans function like a Buick switch-pitch linkage? Thanks. Just trying to figure out if I can replace it with a cable.

 

The linkage is the kickdown. As far as I know, powerglides never used a cable. Both my 64 Impala and a 69 Nova I used to own had powerglides, with the linkage you're describing. Hope that helps.

 

Here's my 64 p-glide linkage setup...

 

That rod is known as the "Throttle Valve Control Rod"-TV Rod for short. It contols upshift in the auto mode. Without it, your P.G. will upshift almost immediately as you accelerate from a stop-regardless of throttle position.