1970 Steering Column - park/reverse lockout arm with TKX & Hydraulic Clutch

[MoparCarGuy]

Okay, I just installed my steering column with a Borgeson box and the Bergman Auto Craft coupler. I think I have the park/reverse lockout arm turned the wrong way.
In other words the arm is pointing toward the inner fenderwell and does not allow the ignition key to be removed or the steering wheel to lock. The arm is limited in travel by the hydraulic clutch master cylinder and the power brake booster.

Is the park/reverse arm supposed to point toward the engine or the inner fenderwell? UPDATE: Arm does go toward the inner fenderwell as photo and diagrams show. The lockout arm must be downward

I have converted to a stick shift (TKX 5-speed) and the 1970-only park/reverse arm with linkage is no longer needed.
Is there any issue with leaving the arm? UPDATE: NO, the arm can remain but must be oriented downward at approximately the 5 o'clock position to work correctly and allow the ignition key to be removed. The locking function will work as well after the key is in the OFF position or removed.

First photo is just for reference to show what arm I am talking about. Next photo is my actual issue.

 

[Challenger RTA]

 

[MoparCarGuy]

So now my dilemma is that I will need to pull out the steering column and remove that park/reverse lockout arm or attempt to position it downward. There is no room with the column in place for the arm to move downward far enough to allow the ignition key to be removed. I managed to find the diagram for the column lock arm and linkage in the FSM (page 21-72).
I found another forum thread that linked to Barry Washington's page of factory service bulletins.

 

[MoparCarGuy]

The diagrams are below for 4-Speed (1970-only lockout linkage).

 

[MoparCarGuy]

I found the solution while taking the column loose again. Once it was dropped down and the firewall plate bolts removed, I was able to slide the column/shaft with firewall plate over toward the engine and rotate the park/reverse lockout arm downward into the right position. Reversed the process and got it all back together in about an hour-and-a-half.
FYI - I swapped my rimblow wheel with a tuff wheel during the process to protect the rimblow.

Problem solved.

 

[EW1BH27]

Challenger RTA comes through with a great picture again taken from one of his many harddrives.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Challenger RTA comes through with a great picture again taken from one of his many harddrives.

It wasn't there. but it is now!

 

[i_taz]

One day, much to my surprise. I couldn't get the key to turn to the lock position and remove it. After awhile I discovered I could turn turn the lower collar with my hand. They just removed it or didn't want to bother dealing with it so I wired it 'opened'. You have some good clearance with the headers for the Borgeson, especially the adjustment valve. There taller than the stock gear and you can't get at it without removing the hoses with factory manifolds...