Kick down has 1/2 travel before lever engages valve

The kick down lever will move 1/2 half before engaging the valve body valve. Gummed up? Broke spring? Why does it shift normal after halfway travel and not be shifting higher if it is stuck partway in ?. 1972 904 dart 318
I’m a little confused about your question. What speeds does it shift at at slow s okeeds let’s say less than 30 mph. Then at higher speeds let’s say 55-60 mph. They do have a fair bit of travel while the car is not running. The slack is normal. The slack us taken up once the car is running and the pressure is up in the tranny. It could also be that the valve was assembled wrong. Kim