Slim Jim Throttle valve adjustment HELP

bigfoots98 · June 4th, 2004

Is there anyone out there with any info on adjusting the throttle valve linkage on 61-64 Oldsmobile "Slim Jim" or Roto-hydramatic 10 transmission? Hit or miss is an exercise in frustration and the relationship between the TV lever and the manual lever is critical to proper operation. I'm sure some of you know how funkily this tranny can shift even when everything is set dead on. Borroughs made a tool (BT-33-1) which is, of course, obsolete. Does anyone have this tool laying around? If I could even get the proper dimentions I could fabricate one myself. Any info would be greatly apreciated. HELP! I have no full-throttle kick-down!!!!

mrolds88 · June 8th, 2004

Hey Bigfoot,
Email me and I may be able to help. I have a 63 Olds factory manual that may have just what you are looking for.

Greg
mrolds88
drhotwheels@mybluelight.com

bigfoots98 · June 14th, 2004

Thanks, but that's not gonna help. I have the '64 Factory manual. It details how to make the adjustment but a tool(BT-33-1) is needed to properly setup the relationship between the TV lever and the manual lever. I either need the tool, or someone who knows the dimentions of the tool so I can make one.

rocketraider · June 14th, 2004

I don't even want to hear about a Slim Jim. The green Starfire has suddenly developed a seal leak, and as usual no one here will touch it. So it has to go to Greensboro or Charlotte for service.

Seems to me that if someone can rebuild a Powerglide or TorqueFlite, they could do a HydraMatic. They work off the same principles.

jollymule · July 5th, 2004

I was in the used auto parts business during the 60s and 70s. The slim jim was bad news in the mid sixties, matter of fact our biggest customers were the trans shops. We had some real decent builders back then and they wouldn't touch one.

bigfoots98 · August 24th, 2004

Finally figured out the info I needed to fabricate a tool. Basically, the TV lever hole should be Just under 6"(5 61/64")from the center of the manual lever. Once that's set, you make the linkage adjustments as outlined in the Olds Service Manual #2. Having this set properly has made a TREMENDOUS difference in the smoothness of the first shift. So what's the big deal with a 'Slim Jim'? Not a dang thing...

rocketraider · August 25th, 2004

How much to make another one? I'm interested. Also curious how you figured out the proper dimension.

bigfoots98 · September 21st, 2004

As much trouble as I've gone through for this I wouldn't charge you a thing. Glad to help someone keep their Olds rolling. To keep it simple, take a piece of stiff wire about 6 1/2" long and bend it into an 'L' shape with the long side just a hair under 6"(I think I came up with something around 5 62/64). Now, stick the short end into the hole at the center of the manual lever so is pivots there. Hold the rod out towards the TV lever and bend the lever if needed to bring it to the end of the wire. This should get you pretty close. How'd I figure it out? A lot of math and the not-to-scale drawing in the service manual. The same tool is used to set pedal height and the book gives that dimention. 30 minutes of algebra I thought I had forgotten and I came up with the approximate overall length of the tool and of the indexes for the TV setting. Good luck!

imported_rev616 · December 20th, 2004

i need to get one of these things too.ive had a 1st to 2nd shifting problem since i bought my 64 wagon.id like to get it shifting decent over the winter since i cant afford the turbo 350 swap yet.send me a PM or email me rev616@gmail.com if you could give me the details on the tool or hook me up with one..thanks

chris

Oldsfan · May 9th, 2009

Has anyone tried this adjustment with any luck? My buddy and I are trying to do as I type this. 5 61/64 isn't enough length. We were about a 1/2 inch short. We bent the arm to this spec, now we are WAY off at the bellcrank. Ran out of threads on the TV rod, and the threaded end of the rod hits the bellcrank. I wish someone had one of those tools... [img]<>/frown.gif[/img]

Paul