C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

Door Lock Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 23, 2008 | 10:14 PM
  #1  
Kelley's Avatar
Kelley
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 437
Likes: 104
From: Birmingham AL
AL Events Coordinator
Default Door Lock Question

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?
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2008 | 10:34 PM
  #2  
original76's Avatar
original76
Racer
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 353
Likes: 1
From: Sugar Land, TX
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2008 | 10:36 PM
  #3  
CaveCreekChump's Avatar
CaveCreekChump
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles/Cave Creek IL/AZ
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2008 | 01:45 AM
  #4  
Bob Schaefer's Avatar
Bob Schaefer
Instructor
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 5
From: RDU Triangle, NC
Default 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.

Good luck!

Bob
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2008 | 03:07 PM
  #5  
Powershift's Avatar
Powershift
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,277
Likes: 2,139
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Default

Kelley:

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.

Larry
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2008 | 05:37 PM
  #6  
NVR LAT's Avatar
NVR LAT
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 15
From: Grant-Valkaria Florida
Default

"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.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2008 | 08:35 PM
  #7  
Kelley's Avatar
Kelley
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 437
Likes: 104
From: Birmingham AL
AL Events Coordinator
Default

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.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2008 | 09:32 PM
  #8  
Ron Miller's Avatar
Ron Miller
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by Kelley
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.

Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 24, 2008 | 11:55 PM
  #9  
stingrayl76's Avatar
stingrayl76
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 8
From: Grosse Ile MI
Default

Pull the lock cylinders out of the doors and the ignition switch, and take them to a locksmith to have them keyed alike.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Door Lock Question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:30 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE