T350 Questions

[lectric80]

Is there a way to bypass the vacuum modulator and the detent cable on a T350? Reason I am asking is my neighbor is trying to get a Burb ready for the demolition derby this weekend, the problem is cash is tight and the cable is cut. As for the vacuum, he doesn't want a line running back there that could potentially be caught by debris on the track. What are some cheap options to get this running?

 

[dremu]

Is there a way to bypass the vacuum modulator and the detent cable on a T350? Reason I am asking is my neighbor is trying to get a Burb ready for the demolition derby this weekend, the problem is cash is tight and the cable is cut. As for the vacuum, he doesn't want a line running back there that could potentially be caught by debris on the track. What are some cheap options to get this running?

The detent cable just does kickdown when you whang on the skinny pedal, right, so it's great for downshifting on highway onramps, but I don't see a problem not having one otherwise. Lordie knows my K5 went without for some time 'fore I got it adjusted.

The vacuum line is more important, unless he's gonna run the whole thing in first =)) You could run softline (rubber) for the entire thing, which should work okay for the length of the race, and ziptie it out of the way. Hardline of course is a HELL of a lot more reliable, but harder to protect.

-- A

 

[4X4HIGH]

Yeah, no need for the kickdown cable but the vacuum modulator is part of what controls shifts. He will need to keep the modulator working.

 

[abig84]

kick down cable is useless in a derby car. i ran a k5 on the street,mud,highway whatever with no kick down for like 3 years with no problem, just sucks when you try to hull butt when your in 3rd gear going 20mph.

and i dont even think you need the vacuum line hooked up. dont derby cars run 1st gear and reverse only? it will run first and reverse all day long with no vacuum. also if you want to use it what about just running the hose through the firewall then through the floor down to the trans that way it aint going to get messed up.

 

[dyeager535]

I'd leave the modulator disconnected and manually drop it into first, and leave it there. Come to think of it, I'd probably think about using a manual shifter/cable instead of the stock linkage getting screwed up during the derby.

Modulator disconnected will just make the trans think its under heavy load all the time (no vacuum when the engine is loaded obviously) which increases the line pressure.

Detent cable for the TH350 has no bearing on how well it runs, and since he probably won't need more than 1st gear forward anyways, no reason to worry about it, except making sure it's sealed up so it doesn't leak fluid.

 

[toomany]

The modulator line came off of one of my Th350's one time. It will shift into 2nd and 3rd. The shift is really, really hard though.

 

[lectric80]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I will let him know on the detent, as well as the modulator. Question about the vacuum, where is the best place to hook it up?

Keep in mind that this thing is not running in a huge arena, just a small dirt arena. It may not even need to leave first, I know that when I have run second gear was rarely reached unless you were spinning wildly in the mud.

As for the shift linkage, we are just going to connect a rod directly to the shifter connection on the tranny, then run it through the floor.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Modulator requires manifold vacuum.

 

[lectric80]

Thanks Scott. I will give him all this information tomorrow. I am highly doubting he is going to have it ready for Sat, last I saw he hadn't even gotten the engine and trans installed. And he still has a ton of welding to do, and he doesn't have a welder.