Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

[Joe C.]

I have a 1966-67 type, replacement ignition switch in my 65. This is the original style (it was probably changed 20 some years ago, by the previous owner)with the three retaining lugs for the wiring harness. I cannot find an original style 1965 switch anywhere. The switch that I have is EXTERNALLY undetectable from an original 1965 switch, so I will leave it in place, as it works perfectly, and it mates nicely to my new Lectric dash harness with the three snaps for the ignition switch.

That being said, I also want to retain an original 1965 ignition key. I believe that the ign keys for 65-66 used the same keyways, and only 4 tumblers (1953-66 were all the same type). Six tumblers were first used in 1967, as were A,B, C, and D keyways.

AM I CORRECT IN assuming that the 1965/1966 switch lock cylinders use the same keyway, but the cam in the back end which engages the ignition switch is DIFFERENT for 1965 versus 66-67?

Also, my 1967 type cylinder uses 1, 2, 3, 4, combination MARKED tumblers(?). Are there any other numbers besides 1234, and will they interchange with 53-66? Is there any correlation between the tumbler numbers, and the actual lock code (4 numerical digits for pre 1967).

Thanks in advance.

Joe

[Joe R.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Joe,

I have read you post three or four times and I'm beginning to grasp the situation.

The 65 switch is part number 1116660 and the 66-67 is part number 1116686 and they will not interchange unless the tumbler mechanism is changed also because of the keyway. The 65 having a keyway and the 66-67 only having a slot.

The blank keys are the same flute cut and will interchange from 65 to 66-67. You have me on the number of keyways. I just always leave that to the locksmith
down the street.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

JR

[Joe R.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Joe,

I have read you post three or four times and I'm beginning to grasp the situation.

The 65 switch is part number 1116660 and the 66-67 is part number 1116686 and they will not interchange unless the tumbler mechanism is changed also because of the keyway. The 65 having a keyway and the 66-67 only having a slot.

The blank keys are the same flute cut and will interchange from 65 to 66-67. You have me on the number of keyways. I just always leave that to the locksmith
down the street.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

JR

[Jack H.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Key blanks were the same for MANY years up to '67. In '67, a couple of things changed. Keyway encoding was introduced as another means to increase the number of permuations for GM locks. While '67 and '68 key blanks appear to be identical to '66 and earlier, they're different due to the coded keyways (A/B in '67 and C/D in '68).

Next, a 5th wafer/tumbler was added to boost lock permuation. This is a #5 wafer and making a corresponding #5 cut on a '66 and earlier key blank sticks out like a sore thumb to judges who have a passing familiarity with locksmithing-- the cut extends almost into the upper keyway rail of the key blank.

As far as the ignition switch itself goes, the '66 you have serves as an adequate functional replacement. Want the real McCoy item as the car was equipped from the factory? You'll have to 'mine' a scrapyard car and move your lock cylinder into the donor switch body.

[Jack H.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Key blanks were the same for MANY years up to '67. In '67, a couple of things changed. Keyway encoding was introduced as another means to increase the number of permuations for GM locks. While '67 and '68 key blanks appear to be identical to '66 and earlier, they're different due to the coded keyways (A/B in '67 and C/D in '68).

Next, a 5th wafer/tumbler was added to boost lock permuation. This is a #5 wafer and making a corresponding #5 cut on a '66 and earlier key blank sticks out like a sore thumb to judges who have a passing familiarity with locksmithing-- the cut extends almost into the upper keyway rail of the key blank.

As far as the ignition switch itself goes, the '66 you have serves as an adequate functional replacement. Want the real McCoy item as the car was equipped from the factory? You'll have to 'mine' a scrapyard car and move your lock cylinder into the donor switch body.

[Peter L.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Joe - You are correct on the use of the 1116660 for 1965 and the 1116868 for 1967 but the 1966 model year Corvette used a 1116673 ignition switch, the 1116686 switch being the appropriate replacement. Pete

[Peter L.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Joe - You are correct on the use of the 1116660 for 1965 and the 1116868 for 1967 but the 1966 model year Corvette used a 1116673 ignition switch, the 1116686 switch being the appropriate replacement. Pete

[Joe R.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Pete,

Thanks for the info. I have several 66 switches and didn't know what they fit.

JR

[Joe R.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Pete,

Thanks for the info. I have several 66 switches and didn't know what they fit.

JR

[Michael H.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Joe

As J. Ray and Peter mentioned, the 66 switch was discontinued and the 67 took it's place in the parts book years later. The 1116686 switch for 67, should work in a 65 or 66.

The problem is actually on the tumbler/cylinder. The 65 and 66 tumbler are actually quite similar and either should work because the difference is in the way that it functions and few, if any, people know what that difference is.

The current replacement cylinder, if it is still available, will function but the original 53-66 key will not enter the cylinder. As mentioned in a previous post, the grooves are located diifferently.

If you have the original 65 cylinder, it can be restored with the use of the new stainless disc that the new incorrect cylinder came with if it is carefully removed from the new replacement and reinstalled on the orginal cylinder.

[Michael H.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Joe

As J. Ray and Peter mentioned, the 66 switch was discontinued and the 67 took it's place in the parts book years later. The 1116686 switch for 67, should work in a 65 or 66.

The problem is actually on the tumbler/cylinder. The 65 and 66 tumbler are actually quite similar and either should work because the difference is in the way that it functions and few, if any, people know what that difference is.

The current replacement cylinder, if it is still available, will function but the original 53-66 key will not enter the cylinder. As mentioned in a previous post, the grooves are located diifferently.

If you have the original 65 cylinder, it can be restored with the use of the new stainless disc that the new incorrect cylinder came with if it is carefully removed from the new replacement and reinstalled on the orginal cylinder.

[Joe C.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Joe:

The 65-66 key is the old type, and will not interchange with the 67 key. From what I can see, the cam on the inside of the 66-67 switch has a straight slot. The cam on the 65 switch looks more like an oval and a "U". So, therefore the cams in the cylinders are different between 65, and 66/67. The keyway of the 65/66 cylinders should be the same, since they use the same key blank. The keyway for the 67 cylinder is different, since it uses the newer A-B blanks. So, therefore ALL THREE lock cylinders are different for 65, 66, and 67, using different combinations of cam/cylinder.

I ordered a 1966 original style cylinder from LICorvette. I am hoping that it has the old style keyway, and the new style cam.

Joe

[Joe C.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Joe:

The 65-66 key is the old type, and will not interchange with the 67 key. From what I can see, the cam on the inside of the 66-67 switch has a straight slot. The cam on the 65 switch looks more like an oval and a "U". So, therefore the cams in the cylinders are different between 65, and 66/67. The keyway of the 65/66 cylinders should be the same, since they use the same key blank. The keyway for the 67 cylinder is different, since it uses the newer A-B blanks. So, therefore ALL THREE lock cylinders are different for 65, 66, and 67, using different combinations of cam/cylinder.

I ordered a 1966 original style cylinder from LICorvette. I am hoping that it has the old style keyway, and the new style cam.

Joe

[Michael H.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Joe,

You are corrrect. There are/were three different part numbers for 65, 66 and 67 cylinder. My old 69 printing of the parts book shows all three numbers, one for each year. Each year was unique in some way. The 67 is totally incorrect, as you described, and can't even be modified to work on 65-66.

The cam on the 66 cylinder is straight, just like 67, but the internal keyways are different for 67. I have a correct NOS 66 cyl here if you need scans of any part of it.

The 65 and 66 switch are near identical other than the cam that you described. It has to do with it's function, which I mentioned previously but since no one asked about it, I'll save that for a trivia question.

If the new one you have coming turns out to be incorrect, I may have a used original 66 cyl that you can have. Just use the front stainless face from the new incorrect one and it will look now once installed.

[Michael H.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinders: 65-66-67

Joe,

You are corrrect. There are/were three different part numbers for 65, 66 and 67 cylinder. My old 69 printing of the parts book shows all three numbers, one for each year. Each year was unique in some way. The 67 is totally incorrect, as you described, and can't even be modified to work on 65-66.

The cam on the 66 cylinder is straight, just like 67, but the internal keyways are different for 67. I have a correct NOS 66 cyl here if you need scans of any part of it.

The 65 and 66 switch are near identical other than the cam that you described. It has to do with it's function, which I mentioned previously but since no one asked about it, I'll save that for a trivia question.

If the new one you have coming turns out to be incorrect, I may have a used original 66 cyl that you can have. Just use the front stainless face from the new incorrect one and it will look now once installed.