Shifter Cable Length

Anybody know what length shifter cable is need for a console shifter th350 car? I installed one that is too long and now I cant reach 2nd nor 1st gear. Shifter goes from Park to 1 but transmission is actually going from Park to Drive.

 

I have 2 cables here both are 29 1/2" from hole to the end of the rod. Are you sure the trunnion does not need adjusted on the rod ? I don't think there is a difference in the cables. There is a difference in the turbo 350 and turbo 400 mounting bracket for the cable. Good luck!

 

I had to change mine out for the same reasons; the PO had installed a Chevelle console cable that was wayyy different. I bought the correct cable, trans mount, and shifter lever (!) from T/A IIRC. The shop manual instructions are pretty straight forward. Adjust the trunnion on the trans. ws

 

This is the cable that I have installed. I figured too long is better than too short. If the trunnion needs adjusting then Park wouldn't be Park, right...or no?

https://www.opgi.com/skylark/CH25898/

Bill, the mount on mine looks like the one left. Thanks for the photos.

 

That OPG cable shows it as being 5 feet long (?). I guess if your driving a gasser from the trunk it'll work LOL. If its about 29-1/2" with the round floor grommet with 3 retaining clips, it should fit. You need to install the cable and make up the shifter end first. That's a pin with a cotter pin. The other end clips onto the trans bracket with about 2" going into the shifter trunnion. The 350 and 400 trans brackets are different!

Put the shifter in "park". Then climb underneath and make sure the trans is in park, slide the cable into the trunnion and tighten the bolt. Try not to break it LOL. (like 10ft/lbs). If you can have somebody move the shifter through the gear range, youll be able to confirm trans movement.

I installed my cable and before I tightened the trunnion, I moved the trans arm through all the positions to make sure it was an all go before tightening it. Mines a 455 with a 400 and headers. Its a tight squeeze!

These pics show the old (wrong) cable for the chevelle plus the new Buick unitNotice the trans end has no adjustment? Who know what bracket is on the pan rail but it was off by one hole and incorrect anyways... ws

 

I assembled it with everything in Park, thought I read (somewhere) the assembly should be put together with both in Neutral. IDK...I found it easier to do them in Park though.
I just saw one on Jegz that is 12ft long! lol I'm trying to wrap my brain around why too long doesnt work. Park on the shifter is putting the selector on the trans in Park...but everything else is out of whack. Reverse is Neutral and 1 is Drive. I dont get it...

This is the closest to 29-1/2" I'm finding:

http://www.jegs.com/i/B-M/130/80831/10002/-1

 

That's the best price I've seen for one by far! Thanks, Larry. OPG and Jegz have them for just shy of $100

I bought the B&M cable because it's what they had at Oriellys. Was about $50

 

O,O,O,Orieleys!!

That's the cable you need. I kinda avoid T-razz's tho. I did a lot of business with them when they first opened in about 1986 since they were local, and had my chain jerked a few times. FWIW... Those cables are pretty Vehicle Specific. As shown above, Buick and Chevies (probably Olds and ponchos too) are not all the same. With these old bombers its always "due diligence".

This is the correct one from edog, but look at all the pages; they ALL say "fits Buick"... not so. ws

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-72-Sky...ble-End-Each-/272041194637?fits=Model:Skylark

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/skylark-shifter

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Oldsmobile-Cutlass-Car-Truck-Gear-Shifters/33736/bn_1463688/i.html

 

The one for $43.00 did not fit as well the last time I ordered one. I had better luck with the Parts Place one and I think they make that one, as well as some of the others .
Here is another option . http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-72-Sky...ash=item3f56eb348d:g:lyoAAOSwdj9XT2Ph&vxp=mtr