Kickdown Rod Grommet

[LuvMyScamper]

Hi folks,

If it's not too much trouble, I wonder if someone (who has the same kickdown rod set-up as me) could do a measurement for me. Our '71 F350 has a 360, and a C6 tranny. The kickdown rod is there, but is unattached at the carb as apparently there is a grommet missing. Since the grommet was never there since we've owned the truck, I have no idea what it looks like or what size it is. I found this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/290541446730?ssP ... 2067wt_905

I messaged the seller asking him if this could be the missing grommet I'm looking for, and he messaged me back and said it could be, but that I should try and find out the size if I can.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

Cindy

[cdeal28078]

That LOOKS like the grommet down on the transmission lever if I remember right. Somebody here I am sure has a picture of the lever on the carb. linkage but if they don't in a day or so I'll go to the old shop and grab a carb. base with one on it and get a picture for you
Clint

[LuvMyScamper]

That LOOKS like the grommet down on the transmission lever if I remember right. Somebody here I am sure has a picture of the lever on the carb. linkage but if they don't in a day or so I'll go to the old shop and grab a carb. base with one on it and get a picture for you
Clint

Thanks Clint, much appreciated!

Cindy

[BobbyFord]

$20 shipping???
That grommet is actually for the shift lever on the steering column and for the shift shaft lever on the auto trans. The grommet for the kickdown rod is part of the rod and not available seperately, and is different. Not saying that one couldn't be modified to work, but it is way too fat in it's original state.

[LuvMyScamper]

$20 shipping???
That grommet is actually for the shift lever on the steering column and for the shift shaft lever on the auto trans. The grommet for the kickdown rod is part of the rod and not available seperately, and is different. Not saying that one couldn't be modified to work, but it is way too fat in it's original state.

Yeah quite the rip-off on shipping. I messaged him earlier and asked him if that was right, $20 to ship a tiny grommet. He wrote back and said "Sorry but 1 oz to 1 pound is same price for shipping with USPS Global." Way to expensive - I'd look for it elsewhere if it was the right one but since it's not, there's no point. So you're saying I have to buy a whole kickdown rod assembly? That's the only way to get this thing working again?

[Donnie]

STOP; look the scene over, see what the grommet's function is, engage your thought process & head for your local hardware store. This can be fabricated for less than a buck..........You can buy that grommet at the Ford dealer or any trans shop for a couple bux, but as all others have said it IS not what you are needing.......The E clip is a spare change item also..........Donnie

[cdeal28078]

Bobby you are right again. I don't know why I was thinking it was right. Once you said that the shift arm popped into my minds eye thing and I saw it for what it was. Glad you are around to correct my mistakes before I mess somebody up.
Yes, on top of the kick down rod it is a pressed on type of deal that is no removable. Is it not the same on the bottom also?
Had the 11 cent grommet go bad on an 88 Lincoln while out of town once. Made the AOD sound like it was tearing itself apart. I got to the motel and on the phone with a friend and he told me what to check for and it was the rubber grommet bad. Went to the dealer the next day and the old parts guy just gave me the grommet and two others to throw in the glove box. He said it was said how many AOD's were rebuilt because of am 11 cent piece of rubber and Most times the tranny shop new the problem.
clint

[Donnie]

He said it was said how many AOD's were rebuilt because of am 11 cent piece of rubber and Most times the tranny shop new the problem.
clint

The grommet that you are speaking of on an AOD serves a totally different function than the kick down rod on a C6.
That grommet is a high failure item & IF CAUGHT IN TIME, yea you may save the trans.
That rod / cable controls main line pressure in the trans & the adjustment is pretty critical...unfortunately, most drivers do not notice that the trans is slipping until the friction elements are scorched or glazed. Then it is too late...The C6 uses the modulator valve to read engine load & throttle position.
Your last sentence seems to imply that Tranny shops are rebuilding AOD's needlessly, when all they had to do was replace that grommet????
Tell me that I am misunderstanding what you are saying..

Shops are well aware of that grommet failure & it get replaced on rebuilds as part of the build
It is a fact that MOST drivers do not notice the slip (low pressure) until it is too late....You & your Lincoln were lucky....Donnie

[LuvMyScamper]

Thanks for the replies. So forgive me for my ignorance but I'm still a bit confused. If I go to a hardware store and find a grommet that looks like it will fit, is there a special tool that is needed to install it? Someone mentioned them being "pressed in" - is that difficult to do? Is this something best left to a mechanic? Actually it was my mechanic who told me to go and order the grommet...I guess it's not as simple as that.

[forrestbump]

Cindy, I have a spare kick down rod for my 1970 F250 (390 & C6). I did some quick measurements. The inner hole in the grommet measures 7/16" I.D., the large side (faces away from the carb) measures 5/8" O.D. and the smaller side (faces the carb) measures 9/16" O.D.

Because of this rods age, it's almost impossible for me to remove it's grommet for an exact measurement as I'd have to break it off to do so.

What I'd recommend you do is take the kick down rod to a hardware store and get a rubber grommet that fits inside the rod's hole and has a 7/16" diameter I.D. for proper attachment to your carb's linkage.

This will probably be the least expensive route for you to take.

[LuvMyScamper]

Cindy, I have a spare kick down rod for my 1970 F250 (390 & C6). I did some quick measurements. The inner hole in the grommet measures 7/16" I.D., the large side (faces away from the carb) measures 5/8" O.D. and the smaller side (faces the carb) measures 9/16" O.D.

Because of this rods age, it's almost impossible for me to remove it's grommet for an exact measurement as I'd have to break it off to do so.

What I'd recommend you do is take the kick down rod to a hardware store and get a rubber grommet that fits inside the rod's hole and has a 7/16" diameter I.D. for proper attachment to your carb's linkage.

This will probably be the least expensive route for you to take.

Thanks so much for that info! That's the kind of info I was hoping someone would give me!

[basketcase0302]

Cindy,
Here's one of my favorites MsMasterCarr:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#
If you can't find the bushing you're looking for they would probably have it. Issue though as I believe they were commercial only, verify that please? They would probably at least have the correct part for reference to a particular brand and size you could source elsewhere.

[LuvMyScamper]

Cindy,
Here's one of my favorites MsMasterCarr:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#
If you can't find the bushing you're looking for they would probably have it. Issue though as I believe they were commercial only, verify that please? They would probably at least have the correct part for reference to a particular brand and size you could source elsewhere.

Thanks! If I can't get it locally I will contact them.