What do I have to change on a 1982 Lincoln 302 to replace the variable venturi Carb with a regular caruretor?

Sounds to me like your missing a vacuum line. The C-4 and C-6 Ford transmissions had a vacuum line on them that allowed for the transmission to shift correctly. The valve is either bad or the vacuum line is missing, kinked, or bad. Other wise I would look at the kick down linkage being out of adjustment. to test this you can disconnect the kick down linkage from the carb and take it for a little test drive. If the problem has gone away you will need to adjust the linkage. Try these things and see if it helps.