ST400 switch pitch

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by Jacka, Oct 11, 2012.

  1. Jacka

    Jacka Well-Known Member

    Hello!

    My car is -65 Wildcat (401) and Super turbine 400 gearbox.
    How that switch pitch works? Is that switch on/off?

    And how I adjust that? Help me...


    - Jaakko from Finland -
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  3. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

  4. BRUCE ROE

    BRUCE ROE Well-Known Member

    The transmission torque converter is in low stall (economy) mode with no
    battery applied to the stator terminal. It changes to high stall (performance)
    mode when 12V battery is applied to the stator terminal.


    If your mechanical trans control switches are working correctly, the converter
    will go into high stall for idle and very heavy throttle. That won't do much for
    most of your driving at intermediate throttle positions. You could try a manual
    over ride switch or some other control means; I show some on PHOTOBUCKET.
    See sub album SWITCH PITCH TRANSMISSIONS, first picture. Bruce Roe


    http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l71/bcroe/Switch Pitch Transmissions/


    (that is a lower case "L"71, not an upper case "i"71)
     
  5. Jacka

    Jacka Well-Known Member

    Thank you. Is it ok, that now I take off switch pitch wiring plug (then it is low stall all the time?) and
    I use car as soon I get rest of linkage parts?

    And another problem. I really don't know how I adjust kickdown switch?
    I don't know when kickdown switch button have to be inside (switch take contact) and when button have to be outside?

    Help me as soos as possible.

    - Jaakko from Finland -

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2012
  6. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    Jacka, the switch adjustment procedure is shown in the link I provided.

    Devon
     
  7. Jacka

    Jacka Well-Known Member

    Hello!

    Yes, I check your picture (and I try to translate), but I don't understand =0

    1. Is it ok, that I take switch pitch wiring plug off (there is no answer for that question)?
    2. Carburetor arm dont't touch kickdown switch button when kickdown is working? Help me...

    - Jaakko from Finland -
     
  8. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Jaakko,
    The switch pitch is very simple in operation. Apply 12 volts to the stator connection at the transmission = HIGH STALL. Remove 12 volts = LOW STALL. That is it. You can control the switch pitch with simple wiring. For example, you can wire the SP to the Brake Switch. If you connect the stator contact to the switched wire at the brake switch, you will have high stall any time you step on the brake pedal. If you also wire the stator connection to 12 volts with a wire and simple switch, you can select high and low stall by flipping the switch.
     
  9. Jacka

    Jacka Well-Known Member

    I have to write here again... =)

    I just looking more my St400 kickdown and switch pitch system.
    When my car is ide and I don't press gas pedal, kickdown (idle stator switch) button is botton and it gives 12 V to switch pitch (high stall?). When I press little my gas pedal, idle stator switch disconnect and switch pitch no get
    electric (then gearbox is lower stall?).

    Switch pitch has three wires. Orange has all time 12 V and black/white has 12 V when throttle is near to wide open (switch pitch rod is going inside switch pitch). So I think that my car get high stall idle and near to throttle is wide open...
    BUT, I really still don't know what switch/system give information to get lower gear? I think that it's could't be idle stator switch (it's working just idle)... Is it maybe switch pitch, when it going near to wide open and get 12 V?

    Help me.

    ps. This was complicated for me =)

    Jaakko
     
  10. BRUCE ROE

    BRUCE ROE Well-Known Member

    Its OK to remove the connector from the transmission, you will have no high stall (like a 68 up transmission)
    and no full throttle electric kickdown. The switch pitch feature is independent of what gear you are in.

    I don't care for the stock control, which has no effect on what we mostly do, mid range driving. An
    electronic control with torque sensing and timers can add a lot of driveability. Bruce Roe
     
  11. Jacka

    Jacka Well-Known Member

    Hello!

    I want to put idle stator switch and switch pitch like factory...
    And I want still to know what give command to gearbox down shift?
     
  12. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Maybe we are having a language barrier problem. The throttle linkage switch controls both stator and kick down functions. Those functions are separate at the transmission connections. The later fixed pitch 400 transmissions used a gas pedal mounted switch for the kick down. Because of valve body calibration differences, the kick down on the switch pitch transmissions occurs at or near full throttle. There is no part throttle kick down.
     
  13. Jacka

    Jacka Well-Known Member

    Ok. I try to understand =)
    Here is some pictures from my car (new Edelbrock 600 and halfhomemade switches installation).
    What do you (all) think, looks it's ok?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  14. bigdougsoutho

    bigdougsoutho Member

    at stop - no foot on pedal = high stall
    foot touch pedal = low stall
    60% throttle = high stall
     
  15. BRUCE ROE

    BRUCE ROE Well-Known Member

    Thats it, if the switches are actually working. So the switch pitch feature is never used for normal
    driving. To make it work for you all the time requires an electronic control. Bruce Roe
     
  16. ozrob

    ozrob New Member

    Hi, I'm new to this so apologies for errors. I was wondering about the electric switch pitch controller Bruce Roe was speaking of?
     
  17. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Put "Bruce Roe switch pitch controller" in the V8buick search box and it will come up.
     

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