Ok I have installed a Blue thunder intake on my 55 Bird. I have NEVER had a kickdown linkage connected to the throttle. Now I believe I do. Can anyone talk me through making the fitting or show me pictures of one ? I have the linkage from the trans. but no place to put the other end. So, if you know how I might be able to fix this please let me know. Thanks  

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Birdman: Sorry can not post pictures so I will try to describe. There is a z shaped linkage piece that pivots on a crossshaft that runs at 90 degree to the fwr aft axis of the motor. As the gas pedal pulls the top of the z upward and clockwise the bottom of the z is pulled downward and clockwise. The top of z is connected to the carb throttle plates and the bottom of the z to the transmission. The ratio of the top arm ( length)on the Z is anbout 3 to 1  to the bottom arm (length).  Lesson over. What carb and what type of throttle linkage are you using now?

The carb is a Holley 450 CFM and I just got some threaded rod and cut it to fit. I do think I have some parts missing on the original linkage that mounts to the manifold.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

I can email pixs just not post. Pete

Earl.

      Sounds like you may need to fnd a "bellcrank" that bolts to the back of the manifold. That converts the motion to what you want.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

My e-mail address is eadgpdhome@msn.com ,wpccgrad@hotmail.com or unccgrad@live.com any of those should work.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Frank,

I have what I thought was the bellcrank but now with the new manifold I'm not sure. I think a piece is missing or it may even be the wrong one. The picture of the 55 bellcrank isnt anything close to what I have. It does fit the Y-block but ...

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Hey birdman;;  You might consider using a Lokar cable andbracket setup.  Have used since I put the C/4 in running Edelbrock carb.  My 2 cents??   God Bless   Eddie

Eddie

Lake Forest, Ca. 92630

Earl,

   We'd need to get Hoosier or Ted on this one, I only know that there's several different kinds of bell cranks, some for auto, some for Sticks. I didn't think that the 'Bird versions were different, but they could well be. John (Hoosier) has both pass cars and 'Birds, he'll know.

      Also, with the Blue Thunder and the late model carb everything is different anyhow. If it was me, I'd hit a junkyard and dig up the cables from a mid 60's Ford/Galaxie/ Fairlane/ Torino/Mustang and use those. I like cable throttles better than the rods, links and doo-hikies anyway.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Birdman: I sent an email of the 57 factory linkage I am using. Make sure your Holley has the Ford A/T kickdown arm attached to your carb. If not put one on. Pete