C2: 65 66 Ignition Switch Operation

[Peter L.]

Re: Found It

Michael - Interesting information. This without the switch replacement information was carried over into the 1966 Chevrolet and Corvette Owner's Manuals.

I examined the 65 and 66 ignition switch lock cores and they a designed differently such that neither will go into the other years ignition switch for seveal reasons including the design of the rear of the core piece that operated the switch mechanism. Haven't played around with the 66 ignition lock core and switch to determine what part could be worn enough to make it operate like a 65. They look robust enough that I think you would have to switch to the ACC position "lot" of times to make it fail. My 67 has somewhere around 90K miles and has the original ignition switch and lock core and it still operates as designed.

Pete

[Wayne M.]

Pic of '65 660 switch & cyl (shows mating shapes)

Just thought a photo would help others to follow the topic. Lock is NOS, tumbler/cylinder is out of my '65 coupe.

Sorry, don't have one to show the '66 set-up.

Also (hey hey !) proof that I got my May-June Driveline yesterday.

[Michael H.]

66 Ign Lock Cyl

Here's a shot of the 66 (and 67?) cylinder. Quite different than the 65. This is an NOS 7031272 cylinder and it's exactly the same as the one from my Nov 65 built 66.

[Michael H.]

66 "1116673" Ign Switch

Original 1116673 ignition switch. Mating surface at bottom matches shape of 7031272 66 only tumbler. Much different than 65.

[David D.]

Re: 66 "1116673" Ign Switch

Mike, That be the one, same as my Nov/1965 built 1966. Sorry about my earlier post error on the it's original ignition switch number. Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: 66 "1116673" Ign Switch

Thanks Dave. I assumed you meant 673 for your 66, not 660. I get confused in all the numbers too. Now, if we can just get a few more examples of 66's that turn to "ACC" without depressing the lock tumbler, we will be able to conclude that the info in the book is incorrect. Looks like 67 was actually the first year that required depressing the cyl to get to "ACCESSORY". I'm sure that this will now become a judged item and I'd really like to get it right the first time.

[John H.]

Re: 66 "1116673" Ign Switch

My '67, with what appears to be the original "673" switch and key cylinder, exhibits just a "hint" of needing to be depressed to turn it to Accessory; you can simply turn it to Accessory, but you can feel a slight restriction as it moves from Off to Accessory - probably a matter of wear over the years.

[Peter L.]

Re: 66 "1116673" Ign Switch

John - I'd expect your 67 to have a "686" ignition switch rather than a #673 but it should act like the 66 #673 switch when going to the ACC position. That's what I have found with my 67 which has the original #686 ignition switch. Pete

[John H.]

Re: 66 "1116673" Ign Switch

Pete -

Yup, 686 it is - got hung up with all the 660/673 numbers discussion