1962 Door Lock Cylinders

[Bill O.]

Help...help:

In the PV Test Guide, it states: "Exterior door locking is achieved with the ignition key inserted with the teeth down at each door; the top of the key is rotated toward the rear of the car to lock each door...."
That would lead you to believe then that the lock cylinder lever, facing the front of the car on the drivers side, would also have to face front on the passenger side to accommodate the required key rotation. This seems to be borne out by the fact that the Assembly Manual gives these lock cylinders separate part numbers for L and R hand.

My question is whether you can relocate the lever on any cylinder to make them interchangeable, or must you have a left and a right.

Much appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,

Bill

[Peter L.]

Re: 1962 Door Lock Cylinders

Bill - There is a left hand and a right hand door lock listed in the Briggs & Stratton catalog for the 62 Corvette. The drawing shows the pawl on the lock. Since there is only one part number listed for the 62 door lock pawl, the difference in the two door locks is the orientation of the pawl once the retainer is installed. Pete

[Bill O.]

Re: 1962 Door Lock Cylinders

Pete:

Does that mean I can relocate the pawl on the lock or is it that I have to have a very specific left and right lock cylinder to re-create the correct key rotation?
If the latter, my car will fail PV.

Thanks,

Bill

[Peter L.]

Re: 1962 Door Lock Cylinders

Bill - I think you have answered your own question but let me provide some additional info.

The door locks, i.e., the lock case and cylinder without the lock pawl and clip installed, are identical. In addition, on the 62 door lock assemblies there is only one part number for the pawls and one p/n for the clips. So, to make the right and left door lock assemblies, the variable is the orientation of the pawls on each lock so they end up being positioned 180 degrees from each other and pawls are locked in that orientation by the installation of the clip that secures the them to the back of the lock.

Once you have the two different door lock assemblies, do the PV test to determine which is the right and left.

Have fun.

Pete

[Bill O.]

Re: 1962 Door Lock Cylinders

Pete:

Bingo. That explanation clarified it for me.
Thanks for sticking it out with me.

Bill