'66 ignition switch mystery, id and replacement options

[Kevin B.]

My '66 L79 327/350 has had an annoying ignition switch since the day I picked it up over 18yrs ago. The car stays running when the key is left in the Start position. The ignition lock / cylinder does not seem to 'spring' it out of Start position and into the Run position w/o my help. The motor begins to die when I move the key to the Run position. I took out the lock and ignition switch to see if I could see any broken parts, missing springs, etc., but can't find anything missing. The metal part of the switch appears very 'boogered up' - like someone took a hacksaw to it to make it fit. The opening for the switch on the dash has one flat side near the Run/Start position. The switch has two flat sides around the threads and when I attempted to put it back into position there seemed to be a minimal amount of threading available for the brushed chrome nut to grap onto. I'm seriously wondering if the switch is for a different car / year / model. The mystery is that I have several original-like octagonal keys that fit the ignition lock. One of the octagonal keys has the knockout portion missing. My door locks are different, however. I need to use an after market round key for the doors. The original looking round key has the knockout portion missing but will only open the spare tire cover's lock. No other after market round key fits the spare tire cover's lock.
Can I replace the ignition switch and use the ignition lock - the same one which fits the original like keys with the knockout's removed - or do I have to replace the lock and have the tumblers adjusted to fit my keys? I would also like to make the door locks the same as the ignition lock. Any advice going forward?

[Peter L.]

Re: '66 ignition switch mystery, id and replacement options

Kevin - The original ignition switch for the 1966 Corvette was a Delco-Remy GM p/m 1116673. The switch should has the last 3 digits of the p/n embossed on the face of the step where the switch goes from portion where the ignition lock cylinder bore is to the back portion where the switch mechanism is. Also, the back plastic where the terminal are should have Delco-Remy embossed on it.
If the ignition switch is not the original configuration, i.e. either the p/n 1116673 Delco-Remy switch or a "correct" aftermarket replacement; it's difficult to tell of the ignition lock cylinder will work in the "correct" ignition switch..
Originally in 1966 the octagon key should operate the ignition & door locks & the round head key should operate the glove box & spare tire locks.The key shafts on the original octagon head used for the ignition & door locks & round head keys used for the glove box & spare tire locks in 1966 were identical so either key can be inserted into the locks but typically the cuts on the octagon & round head keys were different so the keys would not operated the other locks but there is a chance, i.e., 1 in 1500. If the octagon head key & the round head keys you have can go in the a locks, the lock can be recoded to operated with the other key. Pete

[Kevin B.]

Re: '66 ignition switch mystery, id and replacement options

Thank you, Peter. I will check to see if I have any numbers or wording embossed anywhere on the switch.
One last thing..is there supposed to be a contact available for a ignition capacitor? My harness seems to fit over the entire backside of the switch. Where would or does the capacitor connect onto?
- Kevin

[Peter L.]

Re: '66 ignition switch mystery, id and replacement options

Kevin - There are a number of capacitors on Corvettes equipped with radios but I an not aware of one attached directly to the ignition switch.
Also, I checked the '66 AIM & I do not see any "call out" for a capacitor attached directly to the ignition switch. Pete