Automatic Linkage Springs

[Kirk McHugh]

I recently bought the two lime-green linkage springs for my 1967 327 automatic with power steering and brakes. After reading several sources and looking at lots of pictures in restoration books, I am completely confused as to where these springs are suppose to be hooked up.

1) The '67 Tech Info Manual states "The linkage has two lime green return springs running to the engine vent tube." Am I suppose to hook both springs right over top of each other to the vent tube bracket?

2) Several restoration guides with pictures show the springs located in different places. There is always one springe attached to the hole in the slotted kickdown linkage arm and running towards the distributor brace. How this attaches to the brace, I have no idea.

3) A second spring is then variably attached to the vent tube (as suggested above), or just as many times there is a forward placed (non-lime green) spring attached from the top of the carb arm to the front spring bracket.

So, someone tell me:

1) What is the proper placement of these two lime green springs?

2) Is there also a third front spring included in this set-up?

Thanks.

[John H.]

Re: Automatic Linkage Springs

Kirk -

As I posted on CF, the rear of the inboard spring hooks over a "tang" on the rear vertical leg on the vent tube support, and the rear of the outboard spring hooks over a "tang" on a small bracket that's welded to the driver's side spark plug/ignition shielding support. Photo below isn't a Powerglide, but both parts with the "tangs" are shown - all cars had them.

[Joe R.]

Re: Automatic Linkage Springs

Hi Kirk:

I think John Hinckley has clarified the two attachment points for the two springs. Let me know if you are still uncertain about this.

I have found that the lime green spring used for the throttle return on Powerglide cars does not provide enough tension to give a good, reliable throttle return. When I am having my Powerglide car judged I install the springs the way the JG and the AIM call for, but for everyday driving I swap out the lime green throttle return spring for the black, forward-mounted spring that was used on the 350 horse engine.

In the attached photo you can see the setup I use for driving, with the black spring in front and the other lime green spring on the Powerglide kickdown linkage.

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: Automatic Linkage Springs

Joe,

Thanks. Your pic didn't come through. Are leaving both lime green springs in and simply adding a black front spring for "real" driving conditions, or are you removing one or both of the lime green springs? Would it cause a problem using all three? My problem is that I like (love) the concept of original, but I also love, and plan, to drive my car. Thanks.

[Joe R.]

Re: Automatic Linkage Springs

Hi Kirk:

Please check again to see if you can view the photo. On my PC both John Hinckley's photo and mine are viewable.

To answer your question, though, for driving I remove the lime green throttle return spring and install the forward black spring. In my earlier posting I referred to the forward black spring as being from the 350 HP cars, but I think it was also used on non-Powerglide 300 HP cars.

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: Automatic Linkage Springs

I can see John's pic, but not yours. I am using a MAC so maybe there is some difference.

Do you think using all three springs would cause a problem?

[Joe R.]

Re: Automatic Linkage Springs

I don't think that using all three springs would cause any problems other than perhaps requiring excess pedal pressure that might be annoying. Swapping the springs only takes a minute to do, so I would suggest that you use the black forward spring except when your car is being judged.

On the other hand, you may find that using the stock arrangement works okay for you, so perhaps you should try that first and see what you think. In my case, I didn't like it.