Originally Posted by bcbens@embarqma

The first thing you have to do is make sure that the rod from the carbs linkage to the transmission is connected. This is exactly what happens if it is not connected. If that is connected, start adjusting the length of it until you start in First gear. I think it should be shortened. Take a big swing at it. If you get it too short it will just stay in first too long and will not want to shift to the other gears very easily. When you reach this stage, start backing off on the length until it shifts where you like it. Start with that and let me know what you find. Your '71 does NOT start in second gear unless it is severely mal-adjusted. You have a fluid coupled K4C25 transmission and they are supposed to start in First gear. Starting in '73 the Transmission was changed to a Torque Converter type trans. and they start in second gear. Lastly, the better your vacuum is the smoother the shifts will be. If it shifts hard like banging into gear your vacuum going to the vacuum modulator is probably low. Make absolutely sure that you have very good vacuum or this car will never run right. Lastly, you can actually push or pull start these cars with the fluid coupled transmission but cannot with the '73 and up torque converter transmission. Just a small bit of almost useless data. The high RPMs are the result of your 3.92 rear end.