when i start my 77 microbus 2ltr ,a few turns over
then turn the key back the starter keeps turning over the ingnition is pretty hard to put the key in
does anyone think that its the key barrel because
after i lash it back and fowards it eventially clicks
off

I would suspect the electrical bit behind the ign barrel. It can be replaced!

Put a 't' in it ... this way it will go from a sarter to a starter

try a bit of wd 40 in the barrel if you think that might help