:confused: Ok, this is the type of column with no pin hole... I got the steering wheel out, and moved the turn signal innards out and to the side... now I'm looking at the bottom of the inside (top end) of the column. I see a rectangular slot just to the right of the center shaft, and see something moving in there when I pull on the key portion and push it back in. I stuck a small screw driver in there, tried pushing up, pushing in, jiggling, etc. and rotating and pulling the key, and even in park and in Neutral, but it hasn't come out. What do I need to do at this point?

-We had done this previously (my wife's cousin and I) and put in the new ignition switch (key portion) ... BUT... when I went down to reinstall the electrical ignition switch portion that I had removed, I noticed that the rod that runs along the top side of the column had rotated and the end is now pointing up, instead of to the side/down to where it can fit in the slider section of the electrical portion of the ignition switch.

Am I on the right track? He did this portion, so I didn't see how it got rotated.
I however am stuck at trying to get the cylinder out, so I can try to rotate that rod...
Please help, I can't wait to start my Chevelle that has a new 400 small block motor and that I haven't driven since at least 8 years ago.

I'd appreciate any help you guys could offer; even pictures or video :thumbsup:

Thanks,
Dennis

Matthew 6:33 "... seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.":hurray:

the rod points up, you set the switch on top of the rod. If i remember right, there is a slot in the column under the turn signal switch, you turn the key to ACC and push down on the piece in that slot and pull the lock assy out.

Put the key in
Turn it to the unlocked position
Depress the tab
Pull out the assembley

Ok, I got the lock cylinder out; I stuck the screw driver in the slot at about 1 O' clock from the center shaft, pushed in firmly, and having the key in the off position pulled it right out.. ok...
BUT now I tried to rotate that rod on the top side bottom section of the steering column and put it into the slide action slot of the ignition switch, but when I layed that switch down a bit to secure it, the rod popped out... Hmmm maybe I'm looking at this backwards or something.
pic 1 http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac140/DenBen777/Car%20Parts/photo1-1.jpg
pic 2 http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac140/DenBen777/Car%20Parts/photo3-1.jpg

What am I missing? I feel like cranking that thing clockwise, but I know that won't work very well.

Turn the switch around so the end that it pointing at you is now pointing toward the engine. Now lay it down on the column jacket so that the electrical connectors are horizontal and pointing toward the center of the car.

Before you install the switch on the steering column move the slider inside the switch all the way to the end of travel ACCESSORY. The other end of travel will be START and you will be able to feel the spring pushing you out of START to RUN. Move the slider two clicks toward the center from the ACCESSORY position. That is the OFF position.

FYI the positions in the ignition switch from full CW rotating CCW are as follows:
START (spring return to RUN detent); OFF detent; OFF-LOCK detent; ACCESSORY detent. Most people don't even know that there is an OFF-LOCK position. That is where you actually remove your key.

Now move the lower lever on the steering column (the part that is out under the brake master cylinder) down to any position but full UP. Now when you rotate your new ignition key in the lock cylinder you will be able to rotate the key full CW to the START position. Now rotate the key CCW you will find that you can turn until it stops in the OFF position. (You cannot keep rotating to OFF-LOCK or to ACCESSORY positions.) Now your steering column is in the OFF position and your ignition switch is also in the OFF position.

Carefully install the switch on the rod in the picture. Attach the switch to the steering column jacket with two fasteners being careful not to knock the switch or the ignition lock cylinder out of position. Tighten the fasteners and you are ready to go when you button up the column into the car.

Jim