ignition switch question

OK, I took out my ignition switch last week and I'm not yet ready to start rewiring and want to put it back together. Doesn't seem to want to cooperate. I understand you have the spring mounted back pushed up to the bezel and turn it, but can't get it to line up right through the dash, and there's not much room to manuver my hand back there, even with the headlight switch out. Tried to plug the key assembly in without putting it back in the dash, but it doesn't want to stay in there. That would be fine for now, just so I can start it. I can't believe it won't go back together, so I must be missing some simple step.

Also, anyone got a decent bezel? Mine's pretty pitted up.

if i am right you have to put the key plug in last after you mount the rest i also mount it with out the wiring harness pluged in. You can by the bezel from macs antique auto or dinise carpenters .

"Do you have the dash out and reaching in through there instead of trying to go under the dash?"

Yes, all the other guages are out of the dash, hanging down below for the moment. I've tried both approaches.

It's not as easy as it looks.....remove the keying mechanism then the ignition and the bezel..
hold the ignition and bezel in your hand and try fitting them together...
see how the bezel has that groove that goes up and then sideways..
just like a signal bulb in a socket....gotta line them up when you fit them together.
try holding the bezel tight to the dash using the handle of a srewdriver..
it will stick into the hole where the lock mechanism was.
push the ignition up into the bezel and turn it towards the sideways slot...
this is a two hand move!
that should do it...then just put the keying tumbler (mechanism) in..