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I bought my ’66 in October and just now realized what I thought was the door key does not unlock the door. I have two keys, the ignition key is a hex key and the other one is a round key. The round key does lock and unlock the glove box but does not unlock either door. I have been told that the ignition key should unlock the doors also but it will not go completely into the door lock cylinder. I have the door lock out of the car and it has 8304 stamped on the cylinder. Anyone know what key is suppose to do what? Anyone know if I can get a new key cut from the 8304 code stamped on the door lock cylinder? Also, I’ve not had any luck getting the door lock cylinder apart. I’ve removed the keeper at the rear of the cylinder but can’t get to come apart. Any suggestions?
I can't answer your question about which key is for what, but I'd think the door lock key is the round key and should also open the glove box. Do not take the cylinder apart. There are several small u shaped pins in it and the lock smith I helped said do not lose the sequense of the those pins. Take it to a good lock smith and he or she will be able to fix you up.
My '65 hex-head key fits in the doors and ignition. The round key works the glove box and spare tire compartment lock.
Short of taking both door locks to a locksmith to have them engineered to fit your existing key, you might think about getting a new pair of door locks PLUS the ignition lock, along with their proper keys.
It would be easy to switch out the other door lock & ignition lock, and you will have new parts that will last decades.
Is the hex key the original Briggs & Stratton key?
Kelly -
My hex key also fits both the ignition and the door locks on my '67.
I don't know how original or modified your car is, but if the hex ignition key is an original Briggs & Stratton key showing the typical wear (patina) I'd keep the ignition & key 'as is'.
Then do whatever is necessary to make the door locks functional, whether it's new locks and keys, or if you can find a locksmith to make keys for your existing locks. You'll have to deal with separate keys for the doors and ignition, but I think having original ignition key(s) is cool.
Go to www.camaros.org/keysandlocks.shtml for an excellent article on GM and B&S keys and locks. I think that it will answer most or all of your questions, including what fits what and how to disassemble/assemble door, ignition, and glove box locks.
"Back in the day" the octagon head key fit the ignition and the doors. The round key fit the trunk (if you had one) and the glove box. I believe it was in the early 70's (MAYBE a little earlier, but I don't think so) that the trunk key (round) also opened the doors, and by that time the ignition key was square and used for the ignition only.
Thanks for all the response. From what I have learned and looking at what I have it appears I have the original glove box and spare tire lock and key. I also appear to have the original door locks but not the original ignition switch. That’s why the ignition key does not open the doors. I don’t see any reason to keep the original door locks without the original key so will buy an ignition switch and two door locks keyed alike. This way I will at least have one original key (glove box and spare tire) and a reproduction GM key for the ignition and doors.
Thanks for all the response. From what I have learned and looking at what I have it appears I have the original glove box and spare tire lock and key. I also appear to have the original door locks but not the original ignition switch. That’s why the ignition key does not open the doors. I don’t see any reason to keep the original door locks without the original key so will buy an ignition switch and two door locks keyed alike. This way I will at least have one original key (glove box and spare tire) and a reproduction GM key for the ignition and doors.
Again, thanks for all the response.
The replacement ignition switch lock being sold these days is not an exact reproduction of the original. The cheap version being sold has the key and the cylinder slotted a bit differently than the original, and the keys will not go into the older type cylinder.
You can get an original type ignition cylinder, but it's quite a lot higher in price than the cheaper replacement, and you'll still have the problem of being keyed differently than the original door locks. The only solution I know is to buy the complete set, ignition, doors, and glove box.