Spare tire lock re-key

[David C.]

Dumb question here.

If I buy a spare tire lock for my 73 Corvette ('H' keyway), can I take it to a locksmith to have it re-keyed to match my existing and correct oval keys?


-- Dave

[Gary B.]

Re: Spare tire lock re-key

Dave,

Yes. An H keyway tire lock can be recoded for any H keyway key.

Gary

[David C.]

Re: Spare tire lock re-key

Thanks, Gary.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Spare tire lock re-key

David,
Be sure that any lock you buy has a key with it. It is very difficult to open a spare tire lock without one.
Jeff

[David C.]

Re: Spare tire lock re-key

David,
Be sure that any lock you buy has a key with it. It is very difficult to open a spare tire lock without one.
Jeff

Yes, I suppose that will make the locksmith's job easier.

That leads me to question part two:
I read in the TIM/JG that the original keys have the keyway stamp perpendicular to the key axis, and replacement keys have the stamp at an angle. For judging, how many keys with the perpendicular stamp do I need?

[Gary B.]

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Spare tire lock re-key

David,
Original keys can have the rail letters either perpendicular or horizontal. The ones with the letters on an angle (45*) are Strattec which bought out Briggs & Stratton key business. They never had knockouts.
Jeff

[David C.]

Re: Spare tire lock re-key

Thanks Gary. Of the 2 keys, how many require the perpendicular or horizontal stamps? Both?


-- Dave

[Gary B.]

Re: Spare tire lock re-key

Dave,

For the sake of completeness, I want to show two E keyway blanks with the knockouts present with the parallel rail letter orientation and with the horizontal rail letter orientation.

IMG_5058.jpg

Regarding key blanks with the rail letter at 45 degrees, I have multiple examples of matching twin, code-stamped, E keyway keys that came with GM service replacement locks for which the rail code is at 45 degrees, as shown here:

IMG_5057.jpg

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Spare tire lock re-key

One explanation for the horizontal and vertical orientation of the rail codes is this: Since 1949 when B&S went on strike and GM could not ship cars since no locks and keys were available, Rochester Products (RP) was licensed by B&S to produce locks and keys for GM. That continued for many years. Until 1968, the keys made by RP had the "RP" logo on one side. It is thought that when the new design came out in 69 and no RP or B&S logo was on them, the orientation of the rail code distinguished between B&S and Rochester Producets. Every key I have gotten that came in a Briggs & Stratton box had the logo in the same direction (I can't right now say which way but I can check tomorrow). I also can't offer any proof that this is true either. However, I do know that whichever way the rail code is, as long as there are knockouts either in the key or present, and the key numbers are stamped with the right configuration, they will pass judging.
Jeff

[David C.]

Re: Spare tire lock re-key

Thank you Gary and Jeff for the detailed explanations. The quest continues . I've learned A LOT in the last year.

-- Dave