On my 92 firebird I have a carbed 355 and a 700r4 behind her...I know for one thing that my tv cable is messed up the prior owner rigged it on the end and the button does not seem to work. Trying to replace this has become a bit of an issue. No part store knows what I am talking about when I say tv cable. On top of that do i need a different length due to the car was a 305 tbi?

Now If I shift manually this baby shifts great but in drive if i get to much in the throttle it revs up like it slips between shifts. Do you think that will go away with the proper cable?

What is the difference in a tv cable, a kickdown cable and a detent cable?

I know its a lot of ? but really appreciate some more knowledge in this area....

 

Try having the part store do a search for cables and then look for TV cables - I think that is how Advance is set up anyway.

You can also go to ACDelco.com and do a search for the correct cable for a carbed car on your own. The 84 HO comes to mind as a carbed search that may work.

A TV cable is short for Throttle Valve cable. The Throttle valve is inside the transmission and the movement of the throttle linkage at the carb/TBI/TPI moves an actuator arm on the Throttle Valve inside the transmission and the amount of the movement of the actuator controls how much fluid and line pressure is directed to certain areas of the transmission to allow it to shift correctly.

If the TV cable is not properly adjusted, not only will you get crazy shifts that are all over the board and can feel like slippage - it actually is slipping and will eventually destroy your trans if it hasn't already begun. You need a properly adjusted TV cable for the trans to work correctly and last its maximum life.

The detent cable and kickdown cable are usually referred to as the linkage on a non-Throttle Valve transmission such as the turbo 350 or turbo 400 of yesteryear where the linkage controls when the trans will downshift to second gear under hard acceleration. The words are sometimes confused for each other, but the TV cable is different.

I would also recommend going to car guys type parts store such as Hastings or Napa instead of the retail outlets like Autozone and Advance if you really want help finding anything other that air filters and light bulbs.

No offense to anyone if they enjoy those places - I use them too, just saying that usually they are not as experienced as some of the dirtier, grungier parts stores.

 

Something to note!
I called O'Rellys and they not only had it in stock but I just told them I was looking for a TV/dent cable for my 1988 Chevy Camaro 5.7 with a 700R4 trans. I figured I'd price around since this was an easy find,"ha" boy was I wrong! I called auto zone, and they could not find it on there computer. I called advance auto same thing. I called rice boys same thing. I called napa same thing, and the guy at napa knew exactly what I was looking for and said he even ordered himself one about 5 years ago. I did call a local GM dealer as well and they could order it, but it was like almost a week to get it and of course they were going to rape me on dealer price. So of course I went O'rellys, and picked it up right then and there!

 

Thank You so much that was the most informative answer I have recieved. Also super fast lol.... I will be stopping by o o oriely's tomorrow lol I was sure that I was causing the tranny harm by letting it go, and have been taking it easy on her. Part of the reason I was manually shifting it was to keep it from slipping and such. I just love how difficult it is for the new age part store to look up a part with the modern computer system. Once again and..... that paragraph about the throttle valve is good stuff man.

 

You also need a geometry corrector for the cable - it attaches to your carb linkage - summit sells them.

 

...if its flaring up between shifts, you've probably already damaged your transmission. been there, done that...

I highly recommend a custom TV kit from BowtieOverdrives. Custom made for proper geometry for each individual aftermarket carburetor.

Its dark out or I'd take a picture of my setup...

 

well I do have the right geometry for the linkage on this carb just the previous owner messed up the end of the cable and then rigged a stop up on it. I have it adjusted real close but thats all i get no more cable to play with. The detent button is no good either.... Just a junk cable all together lol I can custom make any bracket or metal part I ever need at work. Just not able to make a new cable. Thanks for the extra info though.

Especially good for anyone with this issue to consider. (cable geometry vs specific carb linkage)

I really hope this tranny is ok after I replace the cable tonight. Fluid looks and smells great. Shifts are firm manually. Only major issue is when left in drive to shift on its own. It does fine as long as you do not extend the throttle to far.