some info on a 440

Tend to agree with that statement...sounds like it's out of adjustment if you're selected neutral but moving in reverse. If it's not correctly adjusted, the selector valve in the valve body won't route fluid to the correct passages. Also of note on the so-called kickdown linkage, that linkage actually tells the transmission where the throttle setting is. If it's maladjusted and driven for extended periods, it can actually hurt the internals...it can cause flaring between shifts, excessive line pressure, failed upshifts...in a nutshell, it must be adjusted properly before routinely driven.