904 kickdown lever spring tension?

Yep, you do need one, if yours is one like mine on my 72 dart, I had to put a rod & spring on mine when I got it wear someone added the Edelbrock, flipped the rod & I got a spring from auto parts that worked & been holding in place for a long time!...Hear is a pic of how I got mine set up!

Do you know why the rod is slotted on the end?
Most people don't.