1966 Commando 273 linkage pictures

[Scooper]

Hey all. I'm trying to essentially build a Commando-esque setup from scratch.

I have a (maybe?) complete 4bbl kickdown linkage setup for a '66 car, and, I'm working out how to get it all hooked up correctly, specifically to the carburetor.

I was hoping someone here had some pictures of an original setup still complete and installed, so I could have a reference point. The picture from the FSM is pretty muddy, and, all of what I am finding on Google Images are pictures of fabricated or modified setups. Want to put my eyes on a bone-stocker.

Thanks!

 

[Professor Fate]

Is this any help?

 

[Scooper]

That is certainly a much clearer image, but, doesn't 1000% help me. Let me see if I can show what I am looking at...

 

[Professor Fate]

If I'm understanding correctly, I *think* the issue is the carburetor stud- you may have a 2bbl. stud, which (if I remember correctly, it's been a long time) is longer than the 4bbl stud.
Maybe @65dartcharger can shed more light on it- He's the man on early A minutia.

 

[Scooper]

Yeah that one was from an Edelbrock 8007 kit. I have not been able to find another. Isn't the carburetor throttle shaft supposed to have a second arm with the stud press-fit into place??

 

[Professor Fate]

Yeah that one was from an Edelbrock 8007 kit. I have not been able to find another. Isn't the carburetor throttle shaft supposed to have a second arm with the stud press-fit into place??

Not that I have ever seen.
If the hole and threads in the outer half are deep enough, you may just be able to shorten the outer part and thread it back together, moving the kickdown rod more into line.

 

[Scooper]

Mmmm, I'll have to see what I can come up with. Not really comfortable trying to fabricobble anything if I don't have to, but rather trying to stay as OE as possible.

Either way, wouldn't mind hearing from mister 65darts as well as seeing if anyone else out there has pictures of their own setups.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Ball stud.

ball stud - Google Search

Also check at an Ace Hardware.

 

[66fyssh]

Here's a few pics of my 66 Commando with Edelbrock carburetor. I had to put an extender in the solid rod to fit the Edelbrock. I don't have that engine anymore so I can't take any pictures.

 

[Professor Fate]

Ball stud.

View attachment 1715799031

ball stud - Google Search

Also check at an Ace Hardware.

That's why it's tricky- a standard ball stud doesn't have the end of the threaded shaft turned down for throttle cable attachment. But if you've got a lathe... or are patient with a file... you do whatcha gotta do. Not too tough if you find a stud with a long enough shaft to accomodate the nut and then the throttle cable.

 

[Dana67Dart]

What size ball does it need?

McMaster-Carr

 

[65dartcharger]

The main difference on the kick down linkage is the bracket mounted on the back of the left cylinder head. The arm connected to the arm towards the card has a more offset to the right compare to the pnes on a 2 bbl engine.
The first three pictures showing how it looks on a 2 bbl engine. As you can see its a lot of offset.
Next is how it looks on a 4 bbl engine. The arm is also longer pn a 4 bbl arm. The reason is it will give too much travel.
Hope this will help you out.

 

[Scooper]

The main difference on the kick down linkage is the bracket mounted on the back of the left cylinder head. The arm connected to the arm towards the card has a more offset to the right compare to the pnes on a 2 bbl engine.
The first three pictures showing how it looks on a 2 bbl engine. As you can see its a lot of offset.
Next is how it looks on a 4 bbl engine. The arm is also longer pn a 4 bbl arm. The reason is it will give too much travel.
Hope this will help you out.

Oh wow, thanks Dartscharger.
So, it's really hard to tell from those last pictures but, I take it that the cylinder head bracket I have is the 2bbl part and not the 4bbl?

 

[72Dinger]

Not my car, off a 66 belvedere 318 I saw at a show. I'm in the same boat, fabbing up a clean linkage assembly for a 4bbl and was doing research. Looks like the 273 kickdown bracket, maybe gives you an idea.

 

[Syleng1]

So I was in the same boat. I had a complete 66’ 273 Commando set up out of a formula S and when I switched to the 318 and an Eddie LD340 I cut the ball set up and went with the 74’ 318 auto kick down. Then when the 273 was done at the machine shop I went back all original. Sadly my throttle cable mount was cut and I could not find another so I made one. Second I had cut the original cable and kick down lever ball mount to fix a loose 318 kick down so I was unable to use that. The Eddie kick down throttle linkage ball worked but it throws the kick down lever about 1/2” further away from the carb (I’m using FI Tech fuel injection). Anyhow. Here are how my set up works.

 

[mvh]

I was going to post pictures of my original 67 Commando, but now I see that the 66 kickdown pivot is a completely different animal, so I don't know if they would be useful at all.

 

[Syleng1]

Actually the 67 is slotted because the factory 65-66 ball set up on the trans kick down caused full throttle lock up if adjusted wrong or linkage is sloppy. Repair is unscrewing the ball set up and screwing on the slide set up.

 

[toolmanmike]

Not my car, off a 66 belvedere 318 I saw at a show. I'm in the same boat, fabbing up a clean linkage assembly for a 4bbl and was doing research. Looks like the 273 kickdown bracket, maybe gives you an idea.

View attachment 1715799118

That one needs this extension and remove the nut and bolt. Edelbrock 8004

 

[Scooper]

I was going to post pictures of my original 67 Commando, but now I see that the 66 kickdown pivot is a completely different animal, so I don't know if they would be useful at all.

Yeah, shes a completely different beast.
I wanted to thank everyone who showed up in the thread and helped out. Getting a TON of useful information.

 

[cudamark]

Oh wow, thanks Dartscharger.
So, it's really hard to tell from those last pictures but, I take it that the cylinder head bracket I have is the 2bbl part and not the 4bbl?

You're correct, you have a 2bbl bellcrank/head bracket.....as does every other photo I see in this thread! There are at least 3 different ones. The 2bbl bracket has a straight arm for the carb link that offsets inboard. The '65 4bbl. has a curve arm, and the '66 4bbl offsets outboard and has a curved arm. The transmission arm is also a different length.

 

[Scooper]

Based on information I have gleaned so far:

-Will continue to use these brackets (including the rear head plate) for now. If I come across a different one I will change it out.
- I was able to find and purchase an old scrappy 413 AFB parts carburetor with the correct ball stud. So, that will be swapped over to help with my geometry.
- I also have some spare kickdown linkage sets for later 4bbl setups which, if need-be, I may try switching things around.

Just bought the AC alternator bracket today (Another '66 only piece. Oh joy.). One more piece of the puzzle, down.

 

[cudamark]

Here's a couple of photos of the upper bell cranks so you can see both arm differences between a '65 2bbl and 4bbl. The last photo will be the '66 4bbl.