I bought a 1970 Cutlass 455 auto with power steering. It has an aftermarket floor shifter The ignition won't return to LOCK position and key can't be removed.
What do I need to do to get it working ?

 

If I had to guess, I would say the neutral safety switch.

 

May still have the original rod in column that is stopping key from moving to off position.

 

Watch the collar on the steering column where the column meets the dash, it should rotate as the shifter is moved into gear. Try to put it into park and then rotate the collar by hand a little farther in the direction it went going into park. Hold the collar in that position and see if you can turn the lock enough to remove the key. If it works it is probably a linkage adjustment.

If that doesn't work, loosen the ignition switch on top of the steering column and try the lock,

If loosening the ignition switch doesn't work it is probably the ignition lock cylinder or less likely and internal problem in the collar.

Good luck!!!

 

I've got $10 that says whoever installed the aftermarket shifter did not reinstall the backdrive linkage. Grab the collar on the steering column where the shift lever would have been and twist it as far counterclockwise as it will go. Your key will likely work now. Unless the shifter has a self-contained backup light switch, I'll assume your backup lights don't work either.

 

I'm not taking that bet... don't like losing