1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

[Paul C.]

My brand new reverse lockout cable for my 1971 4 speed purchased from the X%& supply house is bending at the reverse lever at the trans. There is no bending up of the cable in the sheath and the lever at the trans and steering column move easily. The information I have says the cable should be 31 inches long. Mine is 31 11/16 inches long. Is that enough slack to cause it to bend instead of going in the sheath?? Did the automatic trans have the same length cable? I don't have much faith anymore is many of these replacement parts and some are defective and not made to OEM specs. Can someone help me out with this??? Thanks Paul

[Geoff C.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

Auto & Standard Trans are different length's.
Al least 2 (maybe more) repro's of both auto & std.
Don't have any more NOS 4 speed cables to measure.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

This is a crappy design: Use a cable to PUSH a lever at the column. Apparently whoever designed this didn't get the memo that cables are good under tension, but not compression. A Corvette mechanic told me once that a bending or bent cable is a common failure. Apparently if the mechanism binds once and bends the cable, it's done. I replaced my original cable a couple of years ago for this reason. The new one works fine, so at least some replacement cables are ok. (Sorry, but I don't remember the brand I used.)

A new cable of different length may be an issue. Have you compared it to the original? Also, as stated above, once there's a bind which causes a bend, then the cable is more likely to bend again as it tries to PUSH the lever.

[Paul C.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

unfortunately threw the original cable away months ago. I have been working on the car and it hasn't been driven--that's wh it took so long for the problem to show up.

[Geoff C.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

On my second owner 75 with 4 speed - the interlock & shifter perform effortlessly.
?? 50K miles ?? CRS
Probably never been apart

[Sal C.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

I've had pretty good luck by bending them back and going slightly past center. Keep it well lubricated. They angle can also be tweaked a little by rotating the mounting plate in one direction or the other.

[Paul C.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

The question remains: "What is the right length for an original reverse lockout cable?" Does anyone out there have an original cable not in the car that they can measure? That's really the information I need. Thanks again.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

unfortunately threw the original cable away months ago.

Rule #1 of Corvette ownership: never throw away anything.

You know that one, Paul!

Seriously, it's the rule I tell everyone. You never know when you, or a friend, will need to reference a part no matter how bad it may look. My original cable is in a box in storage, else I'd look for you. When I move in the near future it will again be available.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

The question remains: "What is the right length for an original reverse lockout cable?" Does anyone out there have an original cable not in the car that they can measure? That's really the information I need. Thanks again.

Paul------


According to GM, the 4 speed cable is 30-15/16".

[Richard M.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

I only had ONE experience with this cable on a friend's 4 Speed '75. I didn't like it and wanted not to learn.

I recall we had a similar issue where it would pull just fine but push would bend the cable. I shook my head at the design and didn't understand why it was done without a solid cable end to prevent it from bending. Much like solid wire hood release cables and heater control cables, albeit smaller diameters.

I forget if there is a plastic sleeve in the casing. If so, my idea is flawed....

Would it be feasible to 'make' the transmission end of the cable rigid? Heat the stranded cable end with a torch, propane would probably work, and flow silver solder into the cable strands to make it a solid cable at the transmission end. Care would ensure the flow would not increase the OD of the cable. Just thinkin' out loud....

As discussed lately, getting reproduction parts to work is challenging these days.

Rich

[Mark E.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

Is Corvette the only GM which uses a cable to PUSH the reverse lockout? I know 69-70 A-Bodies with 4-speed use a robust design using rods and levers (no cables).

[Chris H.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

Just measured the original I pulled off my '69: 31-15/16ths.

[Chris H.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

sorry....4 Speed

[Terry L.]

Re: 1971 Reverse Lockout Cable Length? Cable Bending!

I had the same issue with my 4 speed cable, I found the lever on the steering column to be very stiff causing the cable to bind. I removed the steering column and lubed the bearings and lever and the was problem solved.