Shifter questions...

[Rallye469]

OK, these will be a whole bunch of dumb newbie type questions i'm sure.

I've got a '70 cutlass with a TH400(manual valve). I've been column shifting this thing
for years. After an interior makeover I've decided to go with a simple
Hurst Quarter Stick or Quarter stick II.

First off, would a front cable exit or rear cable exit version be easier to install?
The cable that comes with the kit is 5ft. long...What the hell do you need 5 feet
of cable for?

Where do i make the hole and where does all that cable go?
Any picts? Mounting? Covers?
Any first hand help is welcome.
-Pete

[d2racer]

ok here we go

first off , where you make the hole in the floor depends on where you mount the shifter . direct to the floor between buckets or mounted up high on a custom plate in front of a bench seat or on top of a factory console
i don't like them mounted to the floor and either buy or make a mount to raise it up about 6-8 inchs

some folks want to use an existing hole in the floor which can dictate /compromise where they mount the shifter
its important that the cable has no sharp bends or kinks or it will be hard to shift and will eventually break the cable .
the usual way is front exit cable to the right side of the trans making a gentle loop to the right and back behind the tail of the trans up to the shifter linkage - thats why you need about 5ft of cable . the shifter is about directly over the linkage and you have to strech the connection out .

rear exit mounts are neater but trickier to hook up on some units
the directions that come with the shifter show it all pretty good

[Rallye469]

Alright...that's helpful and makes sense.
Just to clarify, when you say 'turns right' you
mean looking forward. Correct?
Toward the passenger side, then up over the tail of the trans,
then to the drivers side to meet the linkage.

Why wouldn't you mount the shifter to the floor?
This will be between to factory buckets and i'd like to keep it low.
But if its a strength thing, maybe a 1" plate is in order?

-Pete

[d2racer]

i run mine under the rear of the trans tail by the mount

nothing wrong with mounting to the floor , i just prefer mine mounted higher up so i use a mount to bring it up to seat hight

[atsracing]

You might also want to add a ground strap from the trans to the body or frame. I have seen quite a few shift cables break due to a poor ground. Stray voltage can travel through the cable, arc, and burn the cable inside the covering.

[Rallye469]

Really? Where would the voltage come from?
Interesting.

I guess it's not a bad idea...would bellhousing to firewall work?
Or should it be to the cross member or frame?
-pete

[atsracing]

stray voltage due to a bad ground from the starter.

[Rallye469]

Can't hurt.

Thanks,
pete