Okay I posted several weeks ago about the fact I got the 68 with no keys to the doors. I need to be able to secure the car if I drive it to work, leave it in a parking lot etc. It appears the ignition switch was replaced as the 2 ignition keys are brand new GM units, with code OD-21 STAMPED ON THEM. The rear cargo key works and is original. i had wanted to remove the door locks and take them to a smith when the doors were apart for installation of the door handles but could not find a smith open during the holiday. Now I just want to drive the car to the smith and have them make a key to fit, in other words with the locks still on the car. One smith says it can be done but he doesn't do autos. Another says it can't be done becuase their is a side bar which prevents this and the locks need to come out. Out of 14 calls made yesterday no one has a office I can drive to. Their all now mobile and work out of their house for low overhead I guess.
1. Can i get a smith to make a key with the locks still installed. I know they should match the ignition but one extra key won't kill me and it's a lot less work.
2. Do I need to remove the locks, what a bitch, and take them to someone.
3. do I have to pay $200 to a mobile msith becuase their are no longer any smiths with offices??????

P.S. I already installed the door handles and would have to remove them again to get these locks out.

 

I have repaired many door lock cylinders when I used to work at a GM dealership. To my knowledge there is no way to make a replacement key with the lock cylinder in the car. (but their are always new gadgets coming out so their may be something I am not aware of) Any GM dealer should be able to cut you a key from your lock cylinders once they are out of the car. The door key should not match the ingnition key but should match the cargo door key. While the lock cylinder is out they can code it to any key so they can make it match your compartment key.

 

The door key SHOULD match the ignition key. The cargo key is only for the cargo compartment and the spare carrier.

At least, that's the way my car is, and I have the original keys and locks.

Cali, a locksmith SHOULD NOT be charging $200 to make those keys. I locked myself out of my apartment once, and it was less than $40 to get back into my place.

 

Are earlier Corvettes different? On my 79, and on every other of the Corvettes I have owned the ingnition key (square head) is only for the ignition. The door key (round head) is for the doors and rear compartment, and also the glove box door on the 77 and new dash. If this is so, I am courious as to what year they changed the door key from the square head to the round headed key? I know on my 71 the door key was different from the ignition key.


Pete

 

Verbatum form page 8 of the owner's manual;

"The octagonal-head key operates the ignition switch and both door locks of your Corvette. The oval head key operates the spare tire compartment lock."
Makes no mention of the rear locking compartment but one assumes they include the jack compartment under the spare tire compartment.

I guess the locks will have to come out but not before I find a lock smith wanting to do the job.


[Modified by Cali,68,L-79, 1:43 PM 1/3/2004]

 

In 1965 a two key locking system was introduced. One key operated the door and ignition locks while the second key operated all other compartment locks.

In 1967 4,000 new key codes were introduced, a three fold increase over the 1,333 codes used in prior years. 2,000 of these key codes were for ignition and door locks and 2,000 for compartment locks. The cross-sections of the two keys differ so that the ignition/door key could not be inserted in a compartment lock and vice-versa.

In 1970, since ignition and door locks were operated by the same key, key codes were removed from door lock cylinders on all passenger cars. This change made obtaining ignition key information directly from the door lock cylinder more difficult.

Starting in 1974 and up, the ignition used a square key. A round key was used for doors, trunk, glove, and console. This feature prevented ignition key information from being obtained from any other vehicle key or lock cylinder.

 

On my 70, the door lock and the ignition key were the same. My drivers side door lock died so I replaced both locks. Now they are both different from the ignition.

I feel for you David. I know on the 70 you can remove the lock with out removing the handle. The 68 is a whole different animal. I had a locksmith come out to my dads house and make an ignition key for his Chrysler, so it can be done. Good luck. Hopefully someone will be able to get you set up.

 

I've always heard that you can normally go down to an "OLD" Junkyard and ask about their gm key stash... and just buy the whole bucket and normally one of em will work.

Might also check around an see if anyone makes a master key set... Or if the locksmith can cut the key from the VIN

I've heard of people using all of these and being succesful, just a pretty good spread on the years they were succesful on!

Good luck bro :cheers:

 

My father was a locksmith for a time. There is a way to make a key for a lock that has none. A blacking compound is used on a bare brass key, the key is inserted into the lock and twisted back and forth. The pins or wafers in the lock leave scratches in the key. The harder the scratch the more metal that needs to be removed in a given area on a key.

My father has done this in the middle of the night working under a flashlight so it can be done. You need to find an "old school" locksmith ... not just somone who can use a slim jim and install a new lock!

Ryan

Edited to add...

This is done by hand with a file not on a machine.


[Modified by reidry, 11:21 PM 1/3/2004]

 

Cali my GM Parts man has a kit that he can make anything match with. However it does require lock removal from the door.

He just basicly sticks in your existing key and drops in the little brass tumblers to match each key. So you can have your locks matched to your ignition key as originally intended.

I recently had my El Camino door locks replaced with new ones and he keyed them to match another vehicle I own to eliminate my carrying an extra door key around. Jim

 

Jim Shea : Thanks for the clarification. For some reason I had thought they changed much earlier than that. Always glad when someone corrects my errors.

Pete


[Modified by Pete79L82, 10:41 PM 1/3/2004]

 

Pete I will more than be happy to point out your errors each and everytime you post.

:D

 

Cali, do you want me to start correcting your spelling and grammer?

 

Ok..., trust me on this, I worked at the family business (Locksmiths) for years and years.

With a GM sidebar lock, you can't just impression a key with it on the car.

There are ways of doing this with tryout keys but not all locksmiths have a set as they tend to be a little expensive.

Take the locks out yourself (Not that hard to do) and have him rekey them to the hatch key. It will still cost you, but not as much as having the smith to the R&R.

If you feel like taking a drive up the coast, my family still operates a couple of shops, one in Santa Maria and one in the Pismo area. (Keylock Locksmiths and Santa Maria Lock & Key)
:thumbs:


[Modified by Preacher, 11:56 AM 1/4/2004]

 

Preacher I'm going to take your guys advise and remove the locks after I find a smith willing to do the work.

 

A friend used to be part owner in a lock business. They had a big key ring of all GM keys.

Find a locksmith whose been in the business for years and years. He may have a similar key ring.

Also the junk yard sounds like a good idea too.

:seeya Jeff

 

OMG :mad sounds too me like your trying way to hard. I would just order another lock w/ new keys and install those!! Then your done!!!
:auto: :steering:

 

Leave it to a woman to bring some common sense into the discussion. :D

 

Have you ever priced a set of door locks for a 1968 Vette? I have a insurance appraiser coming over to assess the car on Friday and then after he leaves I'll rip the door apart and remove the locks and deliver to a local locksmith who will gut the lock and replace it with one that will match the ignition for $30 p/ lock.

 

Keep calling lock smiths. I had a key made for another car and he did not have to take the locks out this was last year and cost me about $30. Phone calls are easy removing the lock isn't.
Mike