How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

[Peter L.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Gary - FYI, tryout keys work best with the lock bar type locks. Best way to do spare tire locks is to pick 'em. Pete

[Peter L.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Gene - There are 1500 different KEY CODEs used on the '63-'66 Corvette locks that have 6 cuts on the keys, so you have a 1 in 1500 chance if you have a 6 tumble lock like the ignition and door locks, but since the spare tire lock only has 5 tumblers your odds are better because you only need to match the 5 key cuts from the point on the key shaft, i.e., the cut near the head of the key doesn't count.

Take Gary's suggestion and see if your local locksmith can do it, but don't be surprised if he can't.

Pete

[Gary B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Gary - FYI, tryout keys work best with the lock bar type locks. Best way to do spare tire locks is to pick 'em. Pete

Pete,

It's good to know that they're good for something, i.e., side bar locks. Since those locks are not amenable to picking, now i'm anxious to test the tryout set again. Maybe my $100 tryout set investment isn't a bust.

Gary

[Jim B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Pete--what is the significance of the "B1" on the bottom of the lock case, and have you ever seen cases with other alpha-numeric characters or none at all?

[Gary B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Pete--what is the significance of the "B1" on the bottom of the lock case, and have you ever seen cases with other alpha-numeric characters or none at all?

Jim,

Attached is a photo of a Corvette spare lock with the B1 case (left) next to a lock with a B2 case (right). Note the two ridges on the "nose" of the B2 lock. I have heard some speculation that B2 case locks were used in production, but I can't tell you when, except that it had to be 1967 or newer, since the B2 case locks all have the larger bezel found only on post-66 locks.

Gary

[Jim B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Gary--thanks for the photo. Have you ever seen a '63 lock case with the 1/4" hole WITHOUT the "B1" (i.e., plain bottom)?

[Gary B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Gary--thanks for the photo. Have you ever seen a '63 lock case with the 1/4" hole WITHOUT the "B1" (i.e., plain bottom)?

Jim,

No. What makes you think such a thing exists?

Years ago, before I knew any better I glass bead blasted the bottom of a B1 lock to clean it up and the B1 embossings are so light to begin with that the bead blasting made it totally disappear.

Gary

[Jim B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Gary--I think you've hit on the explanation. The "B1" stamp can be so light to begin with that any over-eager prep work for restoration can pretty much eradicate it. I think the attached photos are an example of this. But if the '63 lock requires (for correctness) the "rubber cushion/bumper" rather than the rubber cover, you'd never see the "B1" anyway as it would be covered, correct?

[Gary B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Gary--I think you've hit on the explanation. The "B1" stamp can be so light to begin with that any over-eager prep work for restoration can pretty much eradicate it. I think the attached photos are an example of this. But if the '63 lock requires (for correctness) the "rubber cushion/bumper" rather than the rubber cover, you'd never see the "B1" anyway as it would be covered, correct?

Jim,

Yes, the B! embossings have very thin raised lines in the B and 1 and they can easily disappear with too harsh of a restoration. I also note in the lock in your photo that the 3rd circle that should exist at the base (bottom in photo) of the rectangular portal has also been wiped away. And the upper right hand circle is almost gone as well. Someone has done something severe to the bottom of that lock.

In terms of judging, prudent judges will not remove the rubber boot for fear of tearing it, so the B1 won't be seen if either the anti-rattle pad or the boot covers the B1. But the B1 embossing is definitely covered by the anti-rattle pad in a more permanent way.

Gary

[Timothy B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

While we are on the subject, would the general opinion be that the 1/4" drain hole started in October 62?

[Peter L.]

Re: No drain hole '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Tim - The 63 gurus I have talked with say that they have seen the no drain hole spare tire locks around on many 63s built in 1962, so although there is no Technical Service Bulletin like was issued for the introduction of the rubber boot/cover on the Production line, it appears that the change over occurred around the end of CY 1962 and the beginning of CY63. Does the 63-64 TIM&JG gives better guidance?

Pete

[Norm B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Tim,

I think you and I discussed the one on my car previously. Like I said in earlier in this thread the one I pictured was on my car when I bought it in 1983 and even though I don't have 100% proof I have no reason to doubt its originality to the car. The car is #2507 built Oct. 29.

Norm

[Peter L.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Norm - First of all, I like originality so I'm with you and I've always said "do not to change parts on the cars because you think they are incorrect or wrong" or because the TIM&JG says it should be something else. Remember it's a judging guide and they have a wealth of valuable information, but continuing research leads to continuous improvement and there are numerous examples of important and interesting things we have uncovered about these Corvettes throughout the last 50 plus years and I'm sure more things will come up.
For example, I'm just sure I will find out more information on my BIG BLOCK delete early '67 coupe.
So, "around" the calendar year info on the 63 tire lock configuration is a "WAG" or a "SWAG" and these factoids based on them have a margin of uncetainty, especially when the number of data points is limited and even if one bought the car new, it's difficult to accurately pinpoint certain things because it wasn't necessarily on one's radar screen back then, let alone now 50 plus years later.
Until then,keep them original and have fun.
Pete

[Gary B.]

Early '63 spare tire locks

While we are on the subject, would the general opinion be that the 1/4" drain hole started in October 62?

Tim, Norm,

As Pete states, this is a question that more research might help to answer. It would be great if a person with a vested interest and a knowledge of early '63s and who knows other '63 owners would take up the challenge to try and pin down a date/VIN for the changeover in lock styles. I think that the 63-64 TIM&JG does not suggest a specific date or VIN on the issue of the no weep hole vs. the 1/4" weep hole lock. It's a research project that's begging to be done.

Gary

[Wayne M.]

Re: '63-66 spare tire lock; beveled/chisel-point bolt-catch pin

Wayne,

I currently have two spare tire locks with the beveled pin. One lock has what appears to be an original anti-rattle pad still attached, so I assume that lock came from an early to mid-'63 car. The second lock is a '66 tire lock. Based on looking at about one hundred '63-'66 spare tire locks, I'd estimate the beveled pin occurs about 2% or 3% of the time. Pete, is that consistent with your observations?

Gary

Gary -- here's the backside of the no-hole lock I posted at the start of this thread. It has the round pin, which may associate this feature with earlier locks, if there is such a correlation. Also, a faint B1 can be seen.