Shark rear alarm locks

[Harmon C.]

I was installing an alarm lock and checked my other cars and found on what I thought was original installations I have them with the notches up and down. If you have a car in thease years post how yours is as I was test fitting before paint and would like to insall it only one time and have it right. Lyle

[Chuck S.]

Re: Shark rear alarm locks

Lyle, this is an interesting question I've not considered before, and what I found is stranger yet.

The alarm switch hole in my tail light panel has NO NOTCH but the panel is definitely original. The AIM (UPC UA6, Sheet A4) shows the hole to be drilled with a notch on the left side of the hole, or at the 9 o'clock positon as viewed from the rear (View C, "0.205 DIA HOLE, FILE CORNERS AS SHOWN").

[Harmon C.]

Re: Shark rear alarm locks

Chuck Mine are just like the door locks with a larger slot top and bottom and smaller slots on both sides and could be installed either side up with no problem. Lyle

[Chuck S.]

Re: Shark rear alarm locks

I'll bet you also have the early style Briggs & Stratton keyed switch.

My AIM, apparently a final year-end edition, shows a separate escutcheon being used with the later switch, but I don't remember that detail. The notches you describe apparently fit lugs on the switch which index its position; the notches for the later switch are apparently made into the escutcheon, and it looks like to me the later switch can be installed in ANY position. BTW, the hole in the tail light panel for the later switch is shown in the AIM as being 1.20" in diameter...I'll bet that the hole for your switch is smaller, maybe 1" or less.

You need input from someone that has the switch installed on an original car...maybe Terry McManmon will check in later.

Barring additional info, I would probably install the switch as my AIM appears to show...key vertical in the normal (armed) postion, with the tumbler edge down (like the doors).

[Terry M.]

Re: Shark rear alarm locks

I didn't chime in earlier because I doubted that Lyle was dealing with the early style lock - admittedly an assumption on my part, and we all know about those things.
Lyle if you are dealing with an early (1968 to about 3/4 through 1970 production) alarm lock with the Briggs & Stratton small key, let me know and I'll do some checking. I have no answers regarding the orientation of the later style key and lock. I have some hunches, but that is not good enough.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Shark rear alarm locks

Terry I am getting a 73 convertible ready for spring judging and the hole is the same size as the doors . Two larger lugs top and bottom and two smaller lugs on the sides. It will fit fine when turned 180 degrees. Lyle

[Terry M.]

Re: Shark rear alarm locks

I suspected it was a 1973.
I would expect the key to go in the alarm lock with the notches down, but I have no examples on hand to verify that hunch -- the reason I didn't put it forward sooner.