[A1971Blazer]

To be clear, are you having trouble with the shift lever being stiff or sticky?
What I assumed was that you were just having an issue getting it into the correct position so it would start, maybe having to wiggle it back and forth a little to hit that "sweet spot" as you said. so that it will start.
Lock Doc assumes that perhaps the lever is stiff or sticky...both are possible scenarios that would cause the issue you're describing...