If anything, the cable should be angled up just slightly. The pics you sent me indicate it's angled down just a bit (attached). You don't want a kink or bend in the cable right there. You can fix that by filing the holes just a bit. The '51 parking brake cable mounts with a thick felt gasket between the bracket and backing plate. I'd suggest you get those to install.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
