Bill:
One of the issues is that NOS units has a gray housing. The paint wont stick. They do have the steel ferrule/barrel that limited the movement of the cable attached to the right side of the floorboard, the reproductions lack them. Even the Daniel Carpenter unit it is missing on. Otherwise, it's pretty close to the Ford cable.
The issue is: with the Ferrule/Barrel missing the cable moves and in my case wound up on the exhaust. The factory NOS cable I bought from Mansfield Mustang bird-caged in the tube.
I will certainly have to use something on the cable at the right side that stops movement so It doesn't get melted again.
By the way. Be SURE to lubricate the reproductions. The label makes no mention that this is necessary and I can't seem to find anything at the local parts houses. Even NAPA.
-Keith