line lock not releasing?

Yes sir, just like that
I did notice the flare nuts I bought are open ended (no Ridge to catch the tube on) but I dont see how that could be an issue
curious. did u use flaired, or inverted flairs ? not that it would cause ur problem. sounds like u have voltage seeping thru the ground wire to me, "if" u have it installed in the right place in line. where is it in relation to the splitter block ? or does a 74 have a splitter block, not familiar w/ that year.