I got a later model automatic shifter off eBay for $65 shipped, and hopefully it'll be here by tomorrow. Found this incredibly helpful link for yanking the old one out, and it looks like it should be a piece of cake (famous last words).

http://www.justanswer.com/questions/...k-not-allowing

 

I dont have this prob..my steering coulum lock i think is broken..

 

yeah, like I said, common for these ign. cylinders to seize up in the housing

major PITA to replace.....99% of the time they'll need to be cut out while attached to the column

 

try putting it in park pretty hard