I have a 1964 1/2 Coupe. 302 V8 auto with two-barrel carb. My mechanic recommended I have a kickdown rod installed.

Is this necessary? What's the benefits?

Thanks.

 

Yes, you need a kickdown with an auto.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is it for? And what problems can be caused if I don't have one.

 

It will accelerate like crap if you don't have it. The kickdown drops the trans into a lower gear when you stomp on the gas.

 

This something I can do myself?

 

It is a rod or cable that goes from your throttle linkage on the carb to the tranny. During high load or harder acceleration the rod will make the tranny down shift to a lower gear so the engine will make more power.

It wont cause any harm to not have one however you wont have much power for acceleration or for going up hills. Your 302 will feel like it bogs down and wont respond the way you would like it to. I would very strongly recommend that you get a rod or cable.

This is a link to a 66-68 cable. With the 302 in a 64 i dont know for sure it will work with your set up but it will be close.

http://www.cjponyparts.com/scott-dra...1968/p/HW1249/

 

The lower drawing shows your car:

http://www.ford6v.com/images/65-66mu...ink%5B1%5D.jpg

 

The "Kick-down" linkage does more than just kick into a lower gear.
It modifies line pressure, modulator pressure and governor pressure to keep enough pressure applying the clutches and band to prevent slippage under load.

measuring the pressure when in drive above 55 mph (there is no downshift above 50) while cruising and then at WOT at the same speed will show an increase in line pressure of up to 25%.
You can ruin the transmission operating without the "kick-down" linkage functioning.
It is not a throttle pressure linkage but it does affect throttle pressure via the modulator valve.