BillGrissom
Well-Known Member
There have been prior posts on the automatic trans shift cable housing burning from the exhaust, but I can't locate. Since the cable runs close to the exhaust pipe on both Slant Six's and 273's, probably every early-A has had this problem (or will) though not-post 1965 when Mopar switched to lever shift.
Below are photos of my fix. The shift cable runs inside a flexible housing similar to a speedometer cable, but is over-braided with twisted wire before the plastic cover is extruded. The plastic melts away or flakes off over ~1 ft beside the exhaust pipe. Since the plastic also seals transmission fluid, it leaks thru the metal housing. However, it doesn't hold fluid pressure, just the slight fluid level that sits near the level of the cable.
I overwrapped the twisted wires with stainless steel wire to secure them. You could also use "rebar wire" from Home Depot. To hold the fluid, I push a 11/32" rubber tube over it. That is a perfect fit to the metal fitting at the tranny end, and the smallest size that fits over the other end. Indeed, I had to pour ATF down it and secure the cable in a vise to force it over. I have a floor-shift, so not sure if the far end is the same in column-shift cars. 3/8" tubing will also work and is easier to find. I sealed the end with a hose clamp. The far end is higher and sees no fluid. I squirted silicone RTV around it and wrapped with self-fusing silicone electrical tape to keep out dirt.
If you stop there, it won't last many years. Indeed, my car had a similar 3/8" tubing fix that had burned away. You need to protect the tubing from the heat. Speed shops carry protective sleeves (not cheap). You might also take them off a newer car in the junkyard. My Mopar minivans have long sleeves over the power steering hoses. I used silicone-covered fiberglass sheath, shown coming in at the left (special industrial product). You can make a similar fix on your parking brake cable, which can similarly leak.
If you have more money than time, Imperial Services sells new shift cables for $195, but then us cheap Mopar bastards would be driving Mustangs.
Below are photos of my fix. The shift cable runs inside a flexible housing similar to a speedometer cable, but is over-braided with twisted wire before the plastic cover is extruded. The plastic melts away or flakes off over ~1 ft beside the exhaust pipe. Since the plastic also seals transmission fluid, it leaks thru the metal housing. However, it doesn't hold fluid pressure, just the slight fluid level that sits near the level of the cable.
I overwrapped the twisted wires with stainless steel wire to secure them. You could also use "rebar wire" from Home Depot. To hold the fluid, I push a 11/32" rubber tube over it. That is a perfect fit to the metal fitting at the tranny end, and the smallest size that fits over the other end. Indeed, I had to pour ATF down it and secure the cable in a vise to force it over. I have a floor-shift, so not sure if the far end is the same in column-shift cars. 3/8" tubing will also work and is easier to find. I sealed the end with a hose clamp. The far end is higher and sees no fluid. I squirted silicone RTV around it and wrapped with self-fusing silicone electrical tape to keep out dirt.
If you stop there, it won't last many years. Indeed, my car had a similar 3/8" tubing fix that had burned away. You need to protect the tubing from the heat. Speed shops carry protective sleeves (not cheap). You might also take them off a newer car in the junkyard. My Mopar minivans have long sleeves over the power steering hoses. I used silicone-covered fiberglass sheath, shown coming in at the left (special industrial product). You can make a similar fix on your parking brake cable, which can similarly leak.
If you have more money than time, Imperial Services sells new shift cables for $195, but then us cheap Mopar bastards would be driving Mustangs.
