Ignition actuator issues

[Beststash]

Hi everyone   

 I recently volunteered to help my friend, Rick,  get his truck running. So here's the story.

He has a '81 half ton 305/automatic. Another neighbor borrowed the truck and when the owner recently went to start it ...nothing. The starter wouldn't do anything. He removed the starter, took it to Autozone - they said it was defective and he got another one and re-installed.  (I personally don't think there was anything wrong with his original starter). Tried it - nothing. The key would turn but no spring-back from the start position at all and it will not come out of "Park".

I went over, pulled the wheel, and helped him put in a new "key cylinder" -that wasn't the problem with the "spring back" it was that funny little spring on the rack mechanism was slipping - tightened that up and then the key would  spring back. Still no start and then noticed that the red lights on the dash were not coming on - tore the column apart again and found part that connects to the ignition actuator rod was broken 

My questions are - how much further do I have to tear into the tilt column to install the new part to the actuator rod and what would be keeping the truck from shifting our of PARK - are these two related?

I appreciate any help offered.

Beststash

[Captkaos]

You have to go down pretty deep (down to the tilt section) to replace the ignition lock rack, and it would keep it from being shifted.
See here: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,12525.0.html

[Beststash]

Thanks, that was very helpful. I think I have a pretty good understanding of the upper part of the column. I'm thinking it might be easier to pull the column totally to fix? I removed the two bolts under front of dash and it lowered the column a bit but not as much as I had thought - maybe if I removed the floorboard screws?

The "stuck in Park" issue - does anyone have a explanation of the column shift as it relates to the ignition rod/column? After dropping the column I took a pair of pliers and was able to move the rod to various positions but it was very hard - not easy to move as I had previously suspected and it hard no effect on being able to take it out of Park.

[VileZambonie]

It's not easier to pull the column to fix. This is extra work for no reason. You can sit on the seat and fix it right there. a dab of grease will hold your pieces in place and just be patient.

The park lock should work once you repair it. Search on here for ignition rack

[Captkaos]

Ditto on the above.  I would NOT pull the column.

[Beststash]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I finished the job yesterday  - it works like a charm. My only issue was those ball bearings on the front race of the tilt fell out. I was able to find them and put back together with a lot of grease and gently reassemble. I did have to make a list for re-assembly because after a few days between tear-down and assembly was too much for my short-term memory. Thanks to everyone for their help.

Peace