Won't start... ignition switch???

[Als87]

I love my 87 short bed but recently I've come to believe it's possessed & I've considered setting it on fire!
Just had a new motor put in, drove it a few weeks & now it won't start. Brand new battery, new tumbler & have been messing w the ignition switch today. When its unbolted if I leave the key in the run position & manually move the ignition switch box, most of the time it will crank over, but once I go to bolt it into place then turn the key it only cranks over maybe 1/5 tries. I don't kno if it's the ignition switch or not but since it's only $15 or so I figured I'd replace it w a new one tmoro. Or could it b the starter or possibly the gear that the tumbler mechanically turns. It's not broken but may or may not b lined up right. This truck has been a pain in my ass & I just want to drive it! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

[hatzie]

The ignition switch mounting holes are slotted.  Loosen the fasteners and slide the switch up the column tube toward the steering wheel till it reliably cranks in the START position and shuts down in the OFF position.  Then tighten the fasteners snug so the switch doesn't slide back down.

If your switch is at the top of the adjustment travel then the key tumbler sector gear is probably off by one tooth where it meshes with the pushrod rack.  Disassemble the column and reset the pushrod rack to the lock tumbler sector gear engagement.

[Als87]

I ended up replacing the ignition switch & that seemed to solve the issue 100%. Barely touch the key & she fires right up