Is there a correct 1967 Corvette reproduction ignition switch available ?

[Ray G.]

Hello;
I believe David S. still has some available.

Thanks for any help.
Ray

[Gary B.]

[Rocco S.]

Re: Is there a correct 1967 Corvette reproduction ignition switch available ?

Hello,

I'm looking for some advise on a NOS Delco Ignition Switch I have the opportunity to purchase. My car is a 1967 L79 Coupe. I know the correct Part # 1116686. This is from a later 1970's GM Corvette Dealer Parts Book. The book lists this switch for both 66 & 67 Corvette.

The switch in question has "686" marked on the metal housing. However as mentioned above it only has ONE brass pin. The delco box has been re-labeled with D1448. The seller chaims the original box marking was incorrectly marked D1463.

Could this be a superceeded part sold for service? Although it may function properly, I want it to be identical to the original since the car has been judged top flight twice at chapter meets and have plans to have it judged at a regional meet and is a possible bowtie car.

My original switch is working fine but I have been buying NOS parts for my spare parts bin as I see them.

Should I pull the trigger and make the purchase? I really dislike using aftermarket or reproduction parts if at all possible.

Thanks for any advise you can provide.

[Gary B.]

Re: Is there a correct 1967 Corvette reproduction ignition switch available ?

Rocco,

First of all, if the Delco Remy box says D-1463, then it originally contained a switch for a ‘65. Second, the Delco Remy # for a ‘67 switch is D-1484, not D-1448. Third, if the switch only has one pin, it will not operate 100% correctly, say for a PV test. I’d advise you to wait until a 2-pin version shows up on eBay to spend your money.

Gary

PS IMO the story about the original box being mislabeled is wishful thinking on the part of the seller, hoping to enhance the sales value by including an original DR box. I’ve seen numerous hand labeled DR pull string boxes that got that way by an owner mixing up parts. Such hand written labeliling was not done by Delco Remy.

[Rocco S.]

Re: Is there a correct 1967 Corvette reproduction ignition switch available ?

Gary,

Thanks for your prompt reply. I appologize for the TYPO. I meant to type D1448.

I was suspect on the box being mislabeled too. What I don't understand is how Delco continued to mark replacement/ revised switches with " 686". That can be really confusing. I'm glad I remember reading the original post mentioning the two brass pins. Hence my question today.

I will take your advise and wait to the "correct" 2-pin switch comes up for sale.

[Richard M.]

Re: Is there a correct 1967 Corvette reproduction ignition switch available ?

Gary, Could you just change that 1 pin key cylinder/tumbler to a 2 pin type?

Rocco will have to have it re-keyed anyways, correct?

Or is it a different internal switch mechanism preventing the swap?

Rich

[Gary B.]

Re: Is there a correct 1967 Corvette reproduction ignition switch available ?

Rich,

I think it’s possible to add a 2nd pin to a 1-pin 686 switch, but it would take a bit of machining work. Here’s a photo of the 2-pin version (taken from an old posting of yours).

IMG_7788.jpg

The two pins are located radially where they are bisected where the casting has a higher and a lower ledge. Now here’s a photo of the 1-pin version.

IMG_7789.jpg

Note that on the 1-pin version, the inner ledge is elevated from about 7 o’clock to around 9 o’clock. The 2-pin version only has that elevated inner ledge from around 8 o’clock to 9 o’clock. So, the first machining task would be to mill away part of the elevated inside ledge. Next, to create the hole for the second pin I think one would also need to use an end mill to create the half circle hole through the inner portion of the upper ledge, and then a drill to create the lower, full circular hole. Then you’d need a spring and a pin. Those should be relatively easy to source. I assume the pin would not need to be captured in place like original pins were.

Another issue is the cost of buying the 1-pin version of the 686 switch. Typical prices for an NOS 1-pin version range from $150 to $250. Some sellers don’t know about the 2-pin version and they think their 1-pin version is sufficiently rare and in demand to justify a high price.

Another idea would be to purchase a DR 1116685 switch, which also had 2 pins and the same five electrical connections on the back side, and I believe it functions exactly like the 686 switch. The 685 switch does not have the integral light provision, but one could perhaps jerry-rig something to hold the light socket that a judge might not be able to see.

Gary

PS Rocco could use his same lock core in either a 1-pin or a 2-pin switch. That swap is plug-and-play. No rekeying is required..

[Richard M.]

Re: Is there a correct 1967 Corvette reproduction ignition switch available ?

Gary, sorry I missed this and that I hadn't replied sooner.


Thanks for that detailed info. I was mistaken thinking of just a tumbler change. I totally forgot that the switch body has those 2 pins versus the single pin switches.

I'm going to save your info away in my library.

Thanks again,
Rich

[Gary B.]

[Jim S.]

Re: Is there a correct 1967 Corvette reproduction ignition switch available ?

This caused me to look at an extra one I have. It has the double pins but has a 673#on it. What is this one for? And could it substitute?

[Gary B.]

[Jim S.]

Re: Is there a correct 1967 Corvette reproduction ignition switch available ?

Thanks Gary,
I hope I replaced the correct one when I rebuilt the cluster on my 66. But the fact that I have this one which is correct for 66 only makes me wonder now.
Jim