Spare Tire Lock 65

[Donald T.]

Hi Guys! I would like to acquire a correct spare tire lock for my late 65. There are currently several on ebay. What should I look for to identify a correct example for my application? The JG does not provide much info. The archives identify the number of tumblers and matching the glovebox. However, I know there are differences in the size of the hole, but couldn't find when it changed over.

Thanks!

[Mike M.]

Re: Spare Tire Lock 65

Try Pat Kraus, his add is in driveline. He did my locks and had a spare tire lock which I needed and is very reasonably priced. Mike

[Mike M.]

Re: Spare Tire Lock 65

Try Pat Kraus, his add is in driveline. He did my locks and had a spare tire lock which I needed and is very reasonably priced. Mike

[Peter L.]

Re: Spare Tire Lock 65

Don - The 1965 TIM&JG 5th Ed. Winter 2003 indicates a 1/4" drain hole w/ a lock cylinder bezel that has a small hole in the outer circumference that partially extends into the bezel. My experience from several examples of original 1965's which were late in the production run is that the small drain hole carried thru the production year. I've seen early original 1966's with the larger drain hole. Pete

[Peter L.]

Re: Spare Tire Lock 65

Don - The 1965 TIM&JG 5th Ed. Winter 2003 indicates a 1/4" drain hole w/ a lock cylinder bezel that has a small hole in the outer circumference that partially extends into the bezel. My experience from several examples of original 1965's which were late in the production run is that the small drain hole carried thru the production year. I've seen early original 1966's with the larger drain hole. Pete

[Donald T.]

Re: Spare Tire Lock 65

Thanks Mike and Peter. Looks like it's time for me to breakdown and get the 5th edition! My 4th edition doesn't list any details on the lock.

Thanks!

[Donald T.]

Re: Spare Tire Lock 65

Thanks Mike and Peter. Looks like it's time for me to breakdown and get the 5th edition! My 4th edition doesn't list any details on the lock.

Thanks!

[Donald T.]

Large or Small Drain Hole?

I just checked the Corvette Restorer CD, and sure enough, there was a good article on spare tire locks. Apparently, the 5th edition of the JG shows a 1/4" hole (I'm still working off the 4th edition). However, the Restorer states that the lock was the same from 64-66, glossy black finish with the 3/8" hole. So which is correct for a 65?

[Donald T.]

Large or Small Drain Hole?

I just checked the Corvette Restorer CD, and sure enough, there was a good article on spare tire locks. Apparently, the 5th edition of the JG shows a 1/4" hole (I'm still working off the 4th edition). However, the Restorer states that the lock was the same from 64-66, glossy black finish with the 3/8" hole. So which is correct for a 65?

[Gary B.]

Pete: 65 Spare Tire Lock; painted or bare?

Pete,

The original spare tire lock on my 66 looks to be gray phosphate, definitely not painted, and it has the 3/8" hole. Were the '65 locks painted black, like the 63/64 locks?

Gary

[Gary B.]

Pete: 65 Spare Tire Lock; painted or bare?

Pete,

The original spare tire lock on my 66 looks to be gray phosphate, definitely not painted, and it has the 3/8" hole. Were the '65 locks painted black, like the 63/64 locks?

Gary

[Peter L.]

Re: Pete: 65 Spare Tire Lock; painted or bare?

Gary - I've done some limited research on the older style spare tire locks with the larger (3/8") drain hole from original owner '66 cars and what I found was that these locks (again, older style one's with the larger drain hole typically found on '66s) were not painted; where as the older style locks with no drain hole (63E) or the smaller (1/4") drain hole ('63L - '65)were painted; so yes I believe the '65 locks were painted. You can tell if the lock case paint is original by the fact that there is no paint (1) on the bottom surface, (2) in the hole for the lock bolt, and (3) in the lock core hole around the bezel. If it's been repainted, generally, all these surfaces and others of the lock case except hopefully the lock core bezel have some evidence of paint. Another indication of the paint being the original is that paint on the sides of the lock case is difficult to remove without some extra effort while any paint of the originally unpainted surfaces will come off relatively easily with solvent such as acetone or MEK.

BTW, the spare tire lock for my '66 is unpainted and has the larger drain hole Also, to the best of my knowledge, the '67 and later spare tire locks were originally not painted although you will find examples of painted ones, they will usually fail the 3 tests above. Pete

[Peter L.]

Re: Pete: 65 Spare Tire Lock; painted or bare?

Gary - I've done some limited research on the older style spare tire locks with the larger (3/8") drain hole from original owner '66 cars and what I found was that these locks (again, older style one's with the larger drain hole typically found on '66s) were not painted; where as the older style locks with no drain hole (63E) or the smaller (1/4") drain hole ('63L - '65)were painted; so yes I believe the '65 locks were painted. You can tell if the lock case paint is original by the fact that there is no paint (1) on the bottom surface, (2) in the hole for the lock bolt, and (3) in the lock core hole around the bezel. If it's been repainted, generally, all these surfaces and others of the lock case except hopefully the lock core bezel have some evidence of paint. Another indication of the paint being the original is that paint on the sides of the lock case is difficult to remove without some extra effort while any paint of the originally unpainted surfaces will come off relatively easily with solvent such as acetone or MEK.

BTW, the spare tire lock for my '66 is unpainted and has the larger drain hole Also, to the best of my knowledge, the '67 and later spare tire locks were originally not painted although you will find examples of painted ones, they will usually fail the 3 tests above. Pete