Changing Ignition Switch
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
Changing Ignition Switch
Well, not really the ignition switch but the key actuator. I want to take the chrome key entry and lock out of my standard column and put it in a new tilt/tele. Can I just swap them? Or is the part specific to standard or Tilt columns?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: Changing Ignition Switch (lbell101)
If you are talking about the lock cylinder (the key goes into that), then I am 98% certain that the parts are identical between the standard and tilt/tele column. Very easy to do and takes about an hour. Btw, take some photos as you go because there are some tricky parts when you start opening up the column. The GM Chassis Manual has the best description I have seen on doing this.
Gary
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Changing Ignition Switch (GaryS)
The lock cylinders from 1969 thru 1978 Vettes will interchange between standard and T&T columns. The steering columns from 1969 through 1976 will also interchange. You will need the extension, hub, and telescoping locking mechanism to complete the job.
If you go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Suspension and Steering you will find several papers a pictures on disassembling the standard and the T&T columns to that you can exchange the lock cylinders. There are also some helpful hints as well.
If you go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Suspension and Steering you will find several papers a pictures on disassembling the standard and the T&T columns to that you can exchange the lock cylinders. There are also some helpful hints as well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Changing Ignition Switch (Jim Shea)
Thanks Guys!
I really didn't want to buy a new one!
Jim!
I'm already using your articles and they are helping alot - thanks!
As long as I have you here....
I'm making a shopping list of parts to get and have a couple questions.
Items I think I'm missing:
- Horn Button
- Horn Contact
- Horn Contact Screws
- Horn Button Shim
- Horn Contact Spacer
- Horn Brush
Parts that I should replace:
- Lower Housing Cover
- Lock Plate Clip Cover
- Lower Bearing
- Upper Bearings
Am I missing anything? Is anything the same from my standard column?
Here's a couple pics of what I have so far.
Thanks for your help and all the great how to articles!
I really didn't want to buy a new one!
Jim!
I'm already using your articles and they are helping alot - thanks!
As long as I have you here....
I'm making a shopping list of parts to get and have a couple questions.
Items I think I'm missing:
- Horn Button
- Horn Contact
- Horn Contact Screws
- Horn Button Shim
- Horn Contact Spacer
- Horn Brush
Parts that I should replace:
- Lower Housing Cover
- Lock Plate Clip Cover
- Lower Bearing
- Upper Bearings
Am I missing anything? Is anything the same from my standard column?
Here's a couple pics of what I have so far.
Thanks for your help and all the great how to articles!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Changing Ignition Switch (lbell101)
Larry,
I don't have access to my Corvette information since I am still on vacation. I can help you next week when I return home. What year T&T column do you have? Are the extension, telescope locking ring, and hub from that column or at least the same year (i.e. 1969 thru 1975).
I don't have access to my Corvette information since I am still on vacation. I can help you next week when I return home. What year T&T column do you have? Are the extension, telescope locking ring, and hub from that column or at least the same year (i.e. 1969 thru 1975).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Changing Ignition Switch (lbell101)
Just looking over your list and comparing it to parts described in the AIM books.
The steering wheels are the same. Requires 6 screws to attach.
It appears that the horn button and emblem is unique for the T&T column.
There is an upper horn contact that requires 3 screws.
There is a lower horn contact that is bolted to the hub. I can't tell if you have it or not.
I don't see any "brush" listed as a loose part. There is an insulator.
There is a spacer that goes under the telescope lever. You may be calling it a horn contact spacer.
You need one screw to hold the star screw in place.
Jim Shea
The steering wheels are the same. Requires 6 screws to attach.
It appears that the horn button and emblem is unique for the T&T column.
There is an upper horn contact that requires 3 screws.
There is a lower horn contact that is bolted to the hub. I can't tell if you have it or not.
I don't see any "brush" listed as a loose part. There is an insulator.
There is a spacer that goes under the telescope lever. You may be calling it a horn contact spacer.
You need one screw to hold the star screw in place.
Jim Shea
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Changing Ignition Switch (Jim Shea)
Thanks Jim!
I think that brush might be from a standard column diagram I was looking at.
I did get the column lock out - which is difficult if you don't have the key!
Right now I'm at a stand still :(
Looks like I need to remove the tilt postion as the plastic ball joint is broken. Also, I think the mount for the big spring is broken off as well.
The problem is that I can't figure out how to take it apart! I was able to remove two bolts that go into the lower cast part but the other two are well concealed by the upper casting. The only way I can see to get it apart is to remove the two pressed in pins (the ones that it tilts on with the threaded hole in the center). I'm not sure how to attack that. Any ideas?
Looks like there will be more parts on my 'to buy' list :(
Thanks for the help!
Larry
I think that brush might be from a standard column diagram I was looking at.
I did get the column lock out - which is difficult if you don't have the key!
Right now I'm at a stand still :(
Looks like I need to remove the tilt postion as the plastic ball joint is broken. Also, I think the mount for the big spring is broken off as well.
The problem is that I can't figure out how to take it apart! I was able to remove two bolts that go into the lower cast part but the other two are well concealed by the upper casting. The only way I can see to get it apart is to remove the two pressed in pins (the ones that it tilts on with the threaded hole in the center). I'm not sure how to attack that. Any ideas?
Looks like there will be more parts on my 'to buy' list :(
Thanks for the help!
Larry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Changing Ignition Switch (lbell101)
Those corvettefaq downloads that you are using should also address pulling the tilt pivot pins.
Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Suspension and Steering. There are several pages of downloads that should help:
Tilt & Telescoping Disassembly Instructions
Tilt & Telescoping Disassembly Pics 1, 2, & 3
Tilt & Telescoping Blowup Pic
BTW, how did you get the lock cylinder out of the column without the key?
Jim
[Modified by Jim Shea, 6:25 PM 4/11/2002]
Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Suspension and Steering. There are several pages of downloads that should help:
Tilt & Telescoping Disassembly Instructions
Tilt & Telescoping Disassembly Pics 1, 2, & 3
Tilt & Telescoping Blowup Pic
BTW, how did you get the lock cylinder out of the column without the key?
Jim
[Modified by Jim Shea, 6:25 PM 4/11/2002]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Changing Ignition Switch (Jim Shea)
Really? I'll look through them again. I must have missed it!
To get the lock out I popped off the chrome piece where the key goes in. then I drilled into the lock. I ground around the hole until the springs and strips could be removed. At that point I was able to turn the piece with a screwdriver into the run position. Then popped out as usual.
Kinda scary knowing this as it didn't take long to get it to turn out of the locked position. A thief with a cordless drill and some practice would be very quick!
Thnaks Jim!
To get the lock out I popped off the chrome piece where the key goes in. then I drilled into the lock. I ground around the hole until the springs and strips could be removed. At that point I was able to turn the piece with a screwdriver into the run position. Then popped out as usual.
Kinda scary knowing this as it didn't take long to get it to turn out of the locked position. A thief with a cordless drill and some practice would be very quick!
Thnaks Jim!
