I'm with you on the shift Jim, but I don't think the shaft is rubbing the tunnel as it sits in the picture. I would think that if the tranny did jump over enough (maybe 2 more inches) to rub the tunnel, that it would be beyond resetting itself to where it is now. The picture is after the incident.

Now maybe it did jump when I pushed the brakes, the resistance on the drive wheels would cause the converter to slip and at that point I'm sure there is some good measure of torque applied to the tranny. Not to mention the amount of low end torque a 455 is putting out. So if that was the source of the scraping noise, then maybe taking the right hand turn right after that was enough to slide the tranny enough so the shaft wasn't rubbing...?

As for the gear oil, no I haven't checked it James. The problem with my particular situation is that I live in a barracks on a Marine base and park in a parking lot, rather than a driveway or curbside. And vehicle maintenance is (for some reason beyond me) strictly prohibited, unless its like replacing your wipers. I'm' assuming the fluid spill/hazmat issues are the reason. But regardless, I can't jack up the car to check anything of value, which is why so much of my problems become this rediculous theory session on the boards .