Thanks Dan, sounds like you were wise to buy ahead.   I didn't mention
that I had already done Google searches -- lots of results, all of the
"out of stock"/"not available".

-George

On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 12:38 PM Dan Lamb <vanagongramps@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I bought one to carry as a spare for our 89 auto. Can’t remember where I found it but if you put the part number in Google search it should come up. Hope this helps. Good luck
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Sep 30, 2019, at 9:16 AM, George Gaudette <gcgaudette@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > The housing for the shifter (gear selector) cable on my '90 Westy
> > automatic (stock 3-speed) has cracked, and now my
> > previously-hard-to-shift van won't shift out of Park at all, because
> > the cable protrudes outside the housing instead of causing gear
> > selection to happen.
> >
> > My mechanic indicates he can't find the part, which he identifies as
> > "251-713-263C", and I'm not having any luck finding it at any of my
> > favorite Vanagon parts vendors (Van-Again, Go Westy!, Bus Depot...).
> > Official VW seems to indicate it's discontinued.
> >
> > Does anybody know of a suitable substitute, or someplace where I might
> > get the OEM?
> >
> > George Gaudette
> > '90 Automatic Westfalia full camper "Ruby"