Kick Down Switch 1965 GP 400 Turbohydromatic Tri-Power

[65GP]

I have been unsuccessful in finding the parts to replace the transmission kickdown switch and install the switch on my Tri-Power installation. Has anyone found a source for these parts, or an alternative method of installing a kickdown switch?

[Larry]

I would sugest that you check under our Technical Advisors and contact our Tri-Power Tech Advisor, Jon Havens. I'm sure he has run into this question often.

[65GP]

Just FYI, By accident I found myself looking at a web site of a company that makes accessories for many cars. I was looking for a billet gas pedal assembly for my friend's 1967 Firebird. I noticed that they offered a Turbo 400 kickdown switch. Curious, I looked at other pages on the site. Lo and behold, these guys make a nifty electronic kickdown switch that bolts onto the oil pan and runs a cable to the throttle linkage. Not only that, they have a cable mount in stainless steel plate with a cable bracket that mounts UNDER THE REAR ROCHESTER TWO-BARREL CARB! While the Originality police might frown on this setup, it is an elegant installation, with only the mounting bracket and a braided cable visible on the carburetors. I have ordered this setup, and I will report back on how the installation went. See: www.lokar.com

[Larry]

Thanks for sharing the information. That company looks to have a great selection of high quality stuff.

I have posted a couple of pictures of the items you purchased.

Please let us know how the install went, and how they perform.

Thanks!

[65GP]

Hello Folks,

I may have posted my "fix" for the tri-power kickdown switch too quickly. After removing the rear carburetor of my 1965 GP to install the kick-down cable bracket, I found that the bracket fits the "smaller" two-barrel carb. The front and rear carbs on my vintage tri-power are larger than the center carb. It turns out that this bracket was designed for chevy small block and Oldsmobile tri-pwers. I will have to fabricate my own plate from stainless steel and tig weld the bracket from the Lokar unit onto my new fabrication. I'll let Lokar know that there is an untapped Pontiac market for these switches and brackets. They will need to tool up for a larger version for the rear carbs. I will install mine, but it will take some fabrication time to do so.

[Larry]

It sounds like you have the resources to make this all work.

How about contacting Lokar and offering to share your dimensions with them and see if they will give you a prize or two for the information. Can't hurt to try!

Keep us posted.

[65GP]

Larry,

Absoulutey. I will be contacting Lokar shortly to request that they consider producing a cable mount for the larger carburetors that can be found on our Pontiacs. For the time being, in order to install mine I will be meeting with a local stainless steel fabrication shop to build one of these to fit on my car. I will report back as soon as I can tune and adjust this system to let everyone know how it worked out.