1997 Ford Thunderbird turn signal - emerg flasher problem

so you are trying to remove the ignition lock cylinder?

hmmm - not sure. I am trying to get the plastic cover off of the top of the steering column between the dash and the steering wheel (the bottom half of the plastic cover unscrews off), but the place where the key is inserted into the ignition is surrounded by a metallic "knob" (that is used to turn on the ignition) that is larger than the hole in the plastic cover that surrounds it. See photo. Thanks for your attention ...

okay, thanks for that additional info.

that is indeed the ignition lock cylinder you are trying to remove.

is this on a floor shift or column shift model, also is it tilt or non-tilt column?

It's a floor shift automatic with tilt steering wheel

Try this out. Remove the right and left side lower mouldings from the instrument panel by pulling up and snapping out of the retainers. Remove the instrument panel lower trim cover. Remove the air bag sliding contact. Unscrew, then remove the tilt steering column lock lever. Rotate the lock cylinder to the RUN position. Using a 1 / 8 in. drift, press the ignition switch lock cylinder retaining pin through the access hole and remove the lock cylinder. Remove the four retaining screws from the lower steering column shroud, then remove the upper and lower shrouds.