I've not seen a star washer in the column before, only that split washer as in pic.
As orientation goes it's the big cup thing first which slides in the tube then the star washer which is meant to centralize the column rod, then spring and then the cancel cam

Ohhhh yep Marty thanks now I see, I think I know what the issue is. I have a new upper bush from burtons, that does away with the cup. Which means the star washer becomes surplus to requirements also becuase as you say that centralizes the rod in the cup.
 
I've got it now, thanks gents!

Big day around these parts! The car is back on its wheels for the first time since October 23! 
 
Shes offically a roller, and even better - the bolts for the tramp rods slid home with hardly any mucking about once it was at ride height! It's nice to get a win every now and then. 
 

 

 
But as with all things car related a win always comes with friends, because the front doesnt have the weight of the engine and gearbox to settle it, the front wheels clip the front of the guard ever so slightly when going lock to lock.

Looks like my caster adjustment with the sway bar mount was a little aggressive , so i'll need to pop down to the hardware store tomorrow and get some washers to space it back a little in the meantime so everything clears. 
 
Apart from that everything is booked for it to go back to the panel shop on Tuesday, it's been decided to leave the glass out of the back for now and they will mask up the holes.

What you could do as a temporary fix till the engine goes in, yes the washers are a permanent fix, though you could do simple shims from 3 or 5mm plate with an 18mm slot so it's a C shape similar to the door shims. You'll only need to back off the inch nut and slide the shim in and tighten back up. Just remember that they are there before you test drive it or they could fall out and cause a squidgoid effect on the front end !!

Thats a good shout, I could even just notch a few washers and do them 180 out from each other, will save the mess about of dropping out the swaybar until its back from the shop.