65 door lock problems

[Keith B.]

While reassembling my dads 65 doors we are having trouble with the door locks unlocking from the out side. The door latches have been fully cleaned and lubed and function very easy. You can lock the door with the key easy. But it won't unlock with the key. If you remove the rod from the latch it takes very little effort to move the lock arm on the latch. What could I be over looking.

[Stephen L.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

Lock cylinders reversed.....????? They are left/right oriented in the AIM........

[Kent S.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

Does the key actually turn in both directions - clockwise and counter-clockwise?

[Keith B.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

Does the key actually turn in both directions - clockwise and counter-clockwise?

It turns both ways but sometime binds when trying to unlock

[Stephen L.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

I don't have a photo of both cylinders but I believe the tabs on the cylinder that attach to the rod are oriented differently.... I believe the cylinders are notched in the door for proper orientation
Maybe some one will chime in with photos......

https://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette/Product/corvette-1966-door-ignition-lock-set-with-keys-pawls-603062

The teeth on the key should be facing down when inserted into the lock. Left door should lock when rotating key clockwise. The right door should lock when rotating the key counterclockwise.

[Kent S.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

If the key turns both ways that probably eliminates the cylinder as the problem. If the key is inserted with the teeth facing down then the cylinders are installed on the correct sides - you haven't said if that's the case. Finally if all that is correct the rod that connects the cylinder "flap" to the locking lever has a top and bottom with unique bends - are you sure it's installed correctly?

[Keith B.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

Yes the key is facing the right way when in the door. I have the rod with the 90* bend going into the latch.

[Kent S.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

Pretty sure the 90 degree bend goes in the lever.

[Keith B.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

the lever as in the latch or the pawl of the lock cylinder?

[Stephen L.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

Keith, there is a clear picture in the AIM UPC1 K8. The 90* end goes into the latch mechanism arm

[Jack M.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

Keith- Here are are a few images from the Service Manual (similar to the AIM):

Door_Locks-02.jpg

Door_Locks-01.jpg

[Keith B.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

Thanks to all who replied. Will have to go work on it some more and get it figured out.

[Richard G.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

Another thing to verify is;
When the top of the key rotated towards the front of the car it should unlock.
The locks can be switched side to side and installed upside down as already pointed out.
While you are in there be sure the backing plates are not switched side to side as they are also L & R's.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

Not sure if you are having the same problem or not.

On one of my doors, the rod from the push button was too long and was interfering with the unlocking mechanism from the key, it was engaged when it shouldn't have been and wouldn't let it unlock.

Have a look at the one that works and compare.

[Keith B.]

Re: 65 door lock problems

While working on them today both sides are on the correct side. But the key won’t rotate both ways. They will only turn to the back of the car to lock. They will not turn forward. When we got the car it did not come with any keys. So we took the cylinder which they key number match both door locks and ignition to a guy who has a old GM look smith set up and cut a new key to the number. Would you think there is something wrong with the cylinder in side. I lubed the cylinder up really well with liquid graphite.