Well, it looks like I finally got my sticking key issue solved and the steering wheel now locks as it should.
I had to replace a broken back drive pin in the steering column, and while I was in this far, I checked the four bolts that hold the lower housing assembly in and removed them one at a time and reinstalled them using Lock Tite. They were already tight...but I decided to do them anyway.
The pivot pins were tight. The wheel never had any play in it so I knew these were not going to be a problem.
I replaced the ignition cylinder with the proper one (LK-381) from ZIP. I gave the other back to my brother-in-law. I didn't like the push button on that cylinder.
I also replaced:

a. The rack & sector gear
b. The two round springs on the turn signal switch
c. The turn signal cancelling cam plastic retainer

I cleaned the old grease up and applied fresh grease and when all was reassembled, I did the 'park-cable' adjustment.
I tried half a dozen times to install the key warning buzzer switch assembly but could not get it to work correctly. With it installed, the lock cylinder would act like it was locked up. So, i left that part out. I will learn to live without that buzzer.

So, I guess I will move on to the next three things I want to accomplish with this car:
1. Adjusting the targa top
2. Adjusting the side windows (I replaced the ribbon regulators with the scissor type)
3. Adjust and align the hood

I'm not looking forward to any of these. Any recommendations?

 

Ok, so the saga continues. I decided to work on the hood. When I got the car, the hood never did latch on the passenger side. To save myself a future headache, I went ahead and changed the hood release cable assembly along with a new hood release cable handle. I also installed emergency hood release cables.
I spent the time and got the hood aligned where it looks good, and it latches really nice and opens the way it should.
So, on to the front bumper. The bumper fit never looked good at all. I ended up taking it completely off of the car. I can't believe how many parts are missing on the front end of this thing. Here are the parts that were nowhere to be found:
1. center fascia retainer
2. left and right front fascia supports
3. the radiator grill center bracket
4. the fog lamp plastic adjusters
5. both front right and left wire harness brackets
6. both front right and left wheelhouse support brackets
7. half of the screws that attach the bumper to the upper reinforcement

In place of the impact bar shims there are the small U-shaped shims, and the lower radiator baffle is broken, and the retainer is missing also.
Other than that, everything is there. Geeeeeeeez So, t's off to flea bay and Corvette Central I go. In the meantime, while I am waiting on everything to get here, I thought I would install the front Bilstein shocks I got. The passenger side went easy-peasy. The driver side is a whole-nother story.




So, what does it take to get these things looking like this? Running into a ditch? Will I be able to straighten the shock absorber bracket and if I do will the integrity be compromised in any way?

 

I got a chance to get back to work on the car and I was able to straighten that lower shock mount piece where it was bent. I replaced the original Bilstein Z-51 front shocks with new Bilstein Z-51 shocks. Moving onto the bumper, I did get it back on and adjusted to where it looks pretty good. I ended up installing:
a: the missing center fascia retainer
b. the missing left and right fascia supports
c. the missing radiator grill center bracket
d. the missing fog lamp plastic adjusters
e. the missing front right and left wire harness brackets
f. the missing front right and left wheelhouse support brackets
g. the correct impact bar shims
h. half of the missing screws that attach the bumper to the upper reinforcement

I also decided to install an aluminum radiator screen in front of the radiator.




So, I think I am going to get the Targa top brackets adjusted to where they need to be. Anyone have any tips on this job?

 

The shock & sway bar link bracket might be an easy find from someone parting, If only the 'left' GM # 14048973 should be correct. Post your image in a wanted to buy for future. That was some unusual damage!

 

I know. I can't think of what would have done that but like I said was able to straighten that piece out.