904 cable shift stuck in Park

Hi Guys,
I'm stumped and need so advice.
I recently pulled the 273 out of my 65 Valiant (leaving the trans in the car) to have some engine work done. When the engine was ready to come out I had to push the car back a few feet to get the hoist into position, no problem. Pulled the engine and then pushed the car forward to shut the garage door, no problem.
With the engine out I felt it was a good time to replace the leaky old rotten shift cables, I also replace the front pump gasket and seal that was seeping, while the engine was out. So while the engine was out I pulled the old cables and compared them carefully with a new set of used cables, the length was identical, and the groove in the shift cable nose was the same (my car column shift) The cables were identical in every sense I could identify.
Before re-installing the engine I pulled the steering column so the headers would clear and I could connect the new cables to the column.

To reinstall the engine I again needed to push the car back to position the hoist, but the car wouldn't budge. I figured the quickest solution (rented hoist, time is money) was to disconnect the u joint at the diff, move the car, install everything torque converter first, then the engine, hook up the cables,and then using the selector, I would be able to put it in neutral and roll it.
Wrong! Got everything installed and the car is stuck in Park. I disconnected the shift cable at the trans and pulled and pushed the selector through the detents and it wouldn't budge in any gear. It was like there was no neutral. figured it had to be the parking sprag, so I disassembled it to check but it all seems good to go.

Ive had the car for 12 years and am pretty familiar with it having rebuilt the WHOLE thing. I think the problem is freeing up the parking sprag but done know how, please help.