1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

[Peter L.]

The Spare Tire Lock, Boot & Key write up on p. 68 of the 1963-1964 Corvette TIM&JG indicates EARLY 1963 model
lock assemblies have no hole drilled for water drainage. LATER 1963 and 1964 model locks have a 1/4" hole drilled in
the casting for water drainage.

The definition in the 1963-1964 TIM&JG indicates EARLY PRODUCTION as the first 1/3 of any given manufacturing
year, so in this case I'd say Sept 1962 thru Dec 1962. Therefore, 1963 Corvettes manufactured during that period
would have had spare tire locks without the drain hole. FYI I have seen a couple exampled of spare tire locks with the 1/4"
drain hole that have had KEY NUMBERs stamped on the spare tire lock assembly lock cylinders that matched the
KEY NUMBERs on all the other locks & the keys on Dec. 1962 built Corvettes. I do not know of any documented examples
of 1963 Corvettes built in calendar year 1963 that have spare tire locks without the drain hole.

My conclusion based on the information in the 1963-1964 TIM&JG & my experience is that a Feb 1963 built car
would have most likely had the spare tire lock with the 1/4" drain hole.

Do any of you have any additional information that would either support or dispute my conclusion?

I appreciate your help. Thanks, Pete

[Tracy C.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

Pete,

No real info to offer on your drain hole question, but the classification of "early" "mid" or "late" production build would be limited to the car in general relative to the entire production build for that model year and should not be used to determine the running production changes of components within the production year.

In general terms, a December build Corvette might be classified as an "early" car, that does not mean that it will have every "early" configuration of every component.

tc

[Gary B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

... Do any of you have any additional information that would either support or dispute my conclusion? ...

Pete,

I know of no hard research or information that supports or disputes your conclusion. I agree with your assumption that a Feb '63 car would very likely have the 1/4" drain hole lock. I've always assumed that a no hole lock can be reasonably expected to be seen on any car up thru the end of Dec '62, but I wouldn't expect to see one much beyond that.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the revision date in the AIM for the change from no hole to 1/4" weep hole lock predated the start of the '63 model year. But presumably an inventory of no-hole locks must have existed by the start of the '63 model year and those would have been used up before the 1/4" weep hole locks started to appear. I know of one other example of a change intended for the start of a model year ('67 model year) that wasn't fully implemented on the production line until Jan of that model year (the change in the slope of the lip on rear spring/T-arm retainer cups). So, a 3-month period to use up existing inventory clearly did occur for some parts that weren't related to a safety concern.

Gary

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

Peter, My 63, the LWC has the original tire lock. You made me some stamped keys for my car as I only had one original key with the knockout still in it.

My original spare tire lock has a .247 hole in it. Close enough to be called 1/4". Car is 9900 range. Birthday is March 3rd.
I cannot find a key number stamped on the lock but it could be buried under paint?
John

P.S. I also have a rare original key for the car. One that I showed you at Marlborough a few years ago. Not hex shaped though. Rounded.
You were impressed as I call. A certain team leader was not.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

Peter, My 63, the LWC has the original tire lock. You made me some stamped keys for my car as I only had one original key with the knockout still in it.

My original spare tire lock has a .247 hole in it. Close enough to be called 1/4". Car is 9900 range. Birthday is March 3rd.
I cannot find a key number stamped on the lock but it could be buried under paint?
John

P.S. I also have a rare original key for the car. One that I showed you at Marlborough a few years ago. Not hex shaped though. Rounded.
You were impressed as I call. A certain team leader was not.

John,

If a code number is present on your spare tire lock, it will be debossed into the cylindrical surface of the lock core. In my experience of looking at well over 100 spare tire locks, the code number is present on between 5% and 10%. Although that percentage is probably somewhat higher if one restricts the sample to just C2 locks (read about C3 locks below) If you want to check your lock for a key code, you'll have to remove the core using the key and a straightened paper clip to depress the lock release pin while turning the key counterclockwise.

Just a warning to those that try this with C3 locks. Up until at least '66 or '67, the tumblers were staked into place and therefore will they will not simply fall out, but more C3 locks have unstaked tumblers. For example, if one removes the core on a C3 tire lock and then removes the key, the odds are good that the tumblers and tiny tumblers springs will just fall out if turned upside down If that happens while standing on thick carpet, the tumbler springs are likely to be lost forever in the carpet. Also, I don't think that C3 tire locks have the key code debossed anywhere, so there really is no reason for C3 owners to remove the core to their tire lock expect perhaps to clean and lube it.

Gary

[Peter L.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

John - Thanks. I appreciate the info. Regards, Pete

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

Most Welcome Pete and Gary. Not much response though.

[Norm B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

Just to stir things up a little, here is the lock off my car which was built October 29, 1962. I have spoken over the years with former owners right back to Owner #2 who bought the car circa 1965. Owner #1 cannot be found and is likely no longer with us but I have no reason to believe that this lock is not original to the car.
Spare Tire Lock 3.JPGSpare Tire Lock 4.JPG

[Gary B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

Just to stir things up a little, here is the lock off my car which was built October 29, 1962. I have spoken over the years with former owners right back to Owner #2 who bought the car circa 1965. Owner #1 cannot be found and is likely no longer with us but I have no reason to believe that this lock is not original to the car.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]62726[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]62727[/ATTACH]

Norm,

Two questions.

One: Is there any trace of an anti-rattle pad that would have been glued to the bottom side? A rubber boot wasn't used until well into the 1963 calendar year, so it should have had the anti-rattle pad from the factory.

Two: If the lock still works, have you ever taken out the core to check to see if the the key code is present on the side of the lock core?

Gary

[Norm B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

Norm,

Two questions.

One: Is there any trace of an anti-rattle pad that would have been glued to the bottom side? A rubber boot wasn't used until well into the 1963 calendar year, so it should have had the anti-rattle pad from the factory.

Two: If the lock still works, have you ever taken out the core to check to see if the the key code is present on the side of the lock core?

Gary

Here are the rest of the pictures I took a few years ago when this subject came up back then. No, I have never taken the core out and I am a little reluctant to mess with it because if you look closely you can see it had bottomed out pretty heavily at some time right on the keyway and is well scraped. It still functions properly though.

Spare Tire Lock 1.JPGSpare Tire Lock 2.JPGSpare Tire Lock 5.JPG

[Gary B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette Gurus - Spare Tire Lock Configuration

Norm,

Thanks. Pretty classic looking anti-rattle pad.

Gary