Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

[Jim S.]

The question came up over at the Corvette Forum as to the different keyways (and key blanks) that were used through the years. I made the following comments without real hard evidence. I'm wondering if anyone (Joe Lucia?) might have some knowledge on the subject.

I might guess that controlling the actual model year to keyway changes was not a real high priorety. The Corvette assembly plant installed the ignition lock cylinders from 1969 through 1979. (It was an easy, plug-in operation.) Around 1980 Saginaw began shipping steering columns with the lock cylinder installed and two ignition keys in a plastic box attached to the lock cylinder. I wonder if the Corvette arrived at the dealer with that little box attached?

Why waste time at the end of a model year trying to coordinate steering column/lock cylinder inventory and sending back lock cylinders and steering columns when dealers had full sets of key blanks and could easily handle different keys that might overlap from one year to the next.

Here is a link to the actual post.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ition-key.html
Jim

[Terry M.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Jim,

I have seen notations in Chevrolet tech literature during the later 1970s that states the keyway code from previous model year was used early in the following MY, but my on-the-ground experience places that in the later 1970s and not in 1969 or 1970 to 1972. I can't now recall if it was in Chevrolet Service News or the Chevrolet Technical or Information Bulletins -- but it did happen and Chevrolet took action to notify dealers and service personal when that occurred.

Another point to keep in mind: During these times (the C3 era) Corvette production numbers were miniscule in relation to the rest of the Chevrolet model line, and those notifications I saw were not necessarily specific to Corvette. There could have been keyway model year carry over on Corvettes for years that never made the bigger Chevrolet notification system.

Originally installed locks (ALL of them) in the early C3 era had the key code stamped onto them. Service replacement locks generally did not. This is an almost fool proof way to tell if the lock was OEM or not. In the early C3 era the square key for the ignition was also the door key. A common way for thieves to steal a Corvette was to pull the lock on the passenger door, and with the key codes from the lock cut a key that would fit the drivers door and ignition and drive the car away. As a result many door locks were replaced by people not as anal as us who didn't care the keyway didn't match the other locks and that a different key was needed for some locks. Some might even see a different keyway for the doors and ignition as a theft deterrent.

[Gary C.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Jim,

Helps to use the post icons to identify your car year.

The icons are also a search aid.

Gary
....
TDB Post Icons_031813.jpg

[Jim S.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

The problem is that 2nd generation, energy absorbing, function locking Corvette steering columns were 1969 through 1982 (C3 only). First generation energy absorbing Corvette steering columns were 1967 and 1968 only (C2 and C3). There were telescoping steering columns from 1965 and 1966. How do I pick which year (C2)?
If the you could pick a number of icons rather than just one, I would use them.
Jim

[Ralph S.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Jim, What is the plastic box the keys were in that you refer to?

[Jim S.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Here is a scan of a 1980-82 steering column head. That is the plastic key box attached to the lock cylinder. The drawing may say 1977... but I was only interested in the locking plate and crossover arm when I added to my Photobucket file. My yearly Corvette steering column assembly drawings only show the key box starting in 1980. I don't know if the assembled Corvette vehicles actually left the plant with the key box. (One key would be fixed to the box and stuck into the lock cylinder, the second key was in the box, crosswise to the other key.)


Jim

[Gary C.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Jim, following would be a way to span two generations. Gary....

Use a C2 icon and add C3 in the title - Re: C3 Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

[Terry M.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Jim, What is the plastic box the keys were in that you refer to?

Ralph,
Do you want me to look for the one you gave me, or do you have one to photograph?

[Edward J.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Jim, It really does not make sense that something like left over door cylinders or ignition lock cylinders from a previous year being installed in the next model years, I had 18 years in GM dealerships as a line mechanic and can not remember ever running into key codes being carried over because of left overs. The parts guys always had a code book that had the key cut codes and it was only year(s) specific. It seems the only time I saw more that one code is if the door or ign, lock cylinder had been replaced.

[Terry M.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Here is a scan of a 1980-82 steering column head. That is the plastic key box attached to the lock cylinder. The drawing may say 1977... but I was only interested in the locking plate and crossover arm when I added to my Photobucket file. My yearly Corvette steering column assembly drawings only show the key box starting in 1980. I don't know if the assembled Corvette vehicles actually left the plant with the key box. (One key would be fixed to the box and stuck into the lock cylinder, the second key was in the box, crosswise to the other key.)


Jim

Here is an example from the Ralph Spears collection:

key holder.jpg

"Has part #7830371 on it. I used to find these on the floor of some of the cars when I worked at the rail yard," said Ralph in the message he sent me.


This one looks black, and the one Ralph gave me years ago is a tan or buckskin color. At the time he gave it to me we thought it was a mask for the chrome part of the ignition switch during painting -- and it may serve that purpose as well as the extra key storage function.

Ralph used to work unloading automobiles (all Chevrolet models -- including his own 1973 Corvette) at the railhead in Framingham Mass. He can elucidate more on that if he chooses to.

[Terry M.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Jim, It really does not make sense that something like left over door cylinders or ignition lock cylinders from a previous year being installed in the next model years, I had 18 years in GM dealerships as a line mechanic and can not remember ever running into key codes being carried over because of left overs. The parts guys always had a code book that had the key cut codes and it was only year(s) specific. It seems the only time I saw more that one code is if the door or ign, lock cylinder had been replaced.

OK Ed, you have forced me to look up the references I recall seeing. Have patience because I have not been into those documents for a year or two -- since I scanned the 1968-68 tech info for the new 1968-69 TIM&JG.

[Joe L.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Jim, It really does not make sense that something like left over door cylinders or ignition lock cylinders from a previous year being installed in the next model years, I had 18 years in GM dealerships as a line mechanic and can not remember ever running into key codes being carried over because of left overs. The parts guys always had a code book that had the key cut codes and it was only year(s) specific. It seems the only time I saw more that one code is if the door or ign, lock cylinder had been replaced.

Edward------


I agree. In SERVICE there were specific part numbers for the key blanks cataloged by YEAR MODEL. If there was model year end "overlap" in the use of lock cylinders, that would mean that some folks purchasing key blanks for their car would be sold the wrong ones even though they provided the counterman with the correct model year.

[Jim S.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Why not just allow us to pick out more than one icon if it fits multiple years and possibly multiple vehicle models.
For instance the actual steering gear was used from 1963 through 1982. So all C2 and C3 models had virtually the same gear.
Jim

[Ralph S.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Does anyone know where and when the columns were painted, Those plastic covers were always painted the same color as the column, they must have been painted with the ignition lock in place.

[Joe L.]

Re: Ignition lock cylinders and steering columns

Does anyone know where and when the columns were painted, Those plastic covers were always painted the same color as the column, they must have been painted with the ignition lock in place.

Ralph------

I think the plastic covers were painted prior to installation on the column.