I have a 63 Olds Cutl*** F85 and the trans is giving me drivablilty issues. What it's doing is shifting up too soon and also staying in third when coming to a stop sometimes causing the engine to stall. It will shift like its supposed to if I manually shift the lever. Shift points are either way too soon or way to late it seems. I'm aware this is an likely original 47 year old ****** and most likely needs rebuilt but I'm trying to make it work right without pulling it yet. I'm guessing I've messed up the kickdown adjustment since I've been playing with the carb a lot. I was just wondering if there is a more correct way to set the adjustment as opposed to tighten, drive, tighten, drive, tighten, drive, loosen, drive etc etc etc.
There is a procedure in the factory service manual, but it requires the use of a specific gauge tool. Unfortunately, the manual does not provide dimensions for replicating this tool, so like you, I use the trial and error method. Bottom line is that you need to lengthen the link from the carb to the rear bellcrank or shorten the link from the trans to the bellcrank to delay upshifts.
The Jalopy Journal
