Zee --

I replaced the cable on my '86 several years ago -- I'm not quite as discouraged about cable replacement as the Chuckster. :) Which might be encouraging for you.

Moreover, I suspect it's a rusted cable (mine was), and not related to the crushed pan -- here's my thinking.

The cable is stuck in the WOT position. Do you think the throttle was wide open when the pan got crushed? Maybe, but probably not. It's unlikely the pan is holding the cam in that position, but more likely the PO drove with the car in passing mode during its last days. Maybe that's one reason it was junked!

To replace the cable, you must drain the tranny and drop the pan. Usually the biggest headache is removing the big nut securing the dipstick tube to the pan. Usually they loosen, but sometimes you need to apply heat.

The next big pain is the exhaust pipe -- it's in the way and should come down.

Let the tranny drip-drain over night ('less ya need to oil up your hair).

The cable has a crimped metal ball on the end -- it fits into a recess in a spring-loaded cam, and the cable wraps around the cam. The cable housing simply "pops" into the opening on top of the tranny -- but it's a tight press fit. You need a good screwdriver to "pop" it out. Clean the area of dirt 'n grime before removing the old cable.

Of course, with the pan off you can knock out the dent.

I'd say it's a 60-90 minute job once the tranny's drip-drained. I didn't bother with a pan gasket (original was fine, and still dry today). I was lucky with the big nut -- and put some antiseize grease on the threads for the next time.
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