Just bought a turbo 350 from a buddy. Its been completely gone through. While putting it in yesterday I noticed a litttle metal rod sticking out of a hole right below where the cooling lines go. I assume this is where the kickdown cable would attach. Problem is I dont have one...going in a 69 drag car. Question is : first do I need it? If not how do you plug the hole?

You don't need it and you can plug the hole by taking off the pan, removing the pin that holds the linkage. Use a small expansion plug like a oil gallery plug for an engine or tap it with a 1/4 pipe thread tap and use a pipe plug.

Thanks!