Something to check if your truck is hanging up shifting into 2nd or Reverse...

Even after rebuilding my column shifter mechanism, I was periodically getting hang-ups into 2nd mostly, but sometimes Reverse. I had some other stuff to check out so I popped the trans tunnel cover.

What I found was that I had never clamped the e-brake cable to the trans, and going into 2nd or R, the cable was hanging up on the levers. The yellow dashed line shows how it was laying.

So I went to attach the clamp, and found out why I never attached it. The clamp was drilled for 3/8" bolts, and the bellhousing bolts are 7/16". So I drilled out the clamp. Before I even got it bolted up I found the cable was totally blocking the gas pedal if it was clamped there. I decided it must clamp to the trans, not the BH, so I tried that. The trans bolts are also 3/8". Bingo! That makes it lay against the underside of the floorboard and away from the shifter levers and gas pedal.

Can anyone confirm this is the correct placement? Everything seems to work out with it there.

 

Mine is attached to the bolt on the right side of the trans inspection cover plate. Same difference. Haven't had any issues.

Can you please post or email me a picture of where the brake pedal return spring attaches on the bellhousing and pedal? Mine is missing and I finally got a replacement. Thanks.

 

Helpful information Ross. When I got my 54 it was in pieces so when I get to that point I will be aware. Wondering about the routing of the overdrive control cable as well.

 

I can get a pic later, but what I am using is a bracket that goes under one of the bolts for the flywheel inspection cover/starter plate. I can't remember if it was there when I got the truck or put it there myself.

On my e-brake cable, there is a section with a crimped-on sleeve where the clamp is meant to go. The cable couldn't be stretched to get it to any other bolts.