rebuild 67 ignition switch?

[Ray G.]

I would like to have my original 67 ignition switch rebuilt, anyone know who can do this? Thanks!

[William C.]

Re: rebuild 67 ignition switch?

somewhat depends on what you mean "rebuilt" I wrote an article for the "Restorer" about 10 years ago on how to rebuild the electrical section on a 61-62 Corvette ignition switch, the same techniques will work on any switch, but you need a donor switch to supply the electrical components. If the housing is worn out, I would contact Pat Kraus at "Pat's Locks" as he has done some clever things with repair of some housings. At least per the '68 Parts book, the switch for Corvette is shared with '66 Pass car, and there was a lengthy discussion on this a few days back on this board. Worth a check, but other than a DIY I'm not aware of anyone "rebuilding" the ignition switch although Pete Lindahl Might be worth a try.

[Ray G.]

Re: rebuild 67 ignition switch?

Thanks for the input Bill. The reason is the original ignition lock has the attatched "hole" for the little bulb that throws light for your key. They sell the "replacement" locks with a little collor that goes over the lock housing that serves the same purpose I guess, I would just like to use my original one.

[William C.]

Re: rebuild 67 ignition switch?

What I did to retain the original housing on my '62 was to find another Delco remy switch (not Corvette) with the same terminal configuration on the back of the switch, and then purchase an NOS version of the non-corvette switch, and use the "Guts" to replace the tired parts in my original switch. YOu might give it a try if I understand you correctly and you have the correct housing. There are generally several Delco switches that use the same electrical configuration within the GM family, although with different housings. Then it's just a matter of digging up an NOS version, but might be less expensive than finding an NOS version complete. For the '62, I carried a description of the back end of the switch around to a couple of swap meets until I found one that gave me what I needed. Today, the large online flea market might be a viable source.

[Larry M.]

Re: rebuild 67 ignition switch?

I would like to have my original 67 ignition switch rebuilt, anyone know who can do this? Thanks!

Ray:

"thepartsladi" (E-bay Store) has just started selling a new reproduction switch made from original tooling. Advertised as correct Delco D1484 and GM 1116686. Looks pretty good from the photos. Check it out.

I was just surfing E-bay and ran across the switch, and remembered this post.

Larry

[Ray G.]

Re: rebuild 67 ignition switch?

Thanks Larry, I just ordered one and will let you know how it works when it arrives. Shame on me for not looking on EBay myself! The price is cheaper even with postage then any of the aftermarket ones. It never ceaces to amaze me the aftermarket Corvette parts out there. Again, thanks for the heads up

[Peter L.]

Re: rebuild 67 ignition switch?

Ray - My experience has been that the version of the 686 ignition switch folks are selling is a "2nd design" that carries the same part number but was a SERVICE part and not used in PRODUCTION. The PRODUCTION part, i.e. the "1st design" was sold by SERVICE, but you don't find many vs this "2nd design."

The good news is that from what I can tell, the switch mechanism, i.e., the back of the with the electrical connections and works, appears to be the same. But, the ignition lock cylinder bore, i.e., the front where the ignition lock cylinder is installed, differs from the "1st design," so the feature designed to prevent moving the ignition switch directly to the ACC position is not in the "2nd design" 686 ignition switch, but that should not be a problem is you plan to use the original PRODUCTION switch housing or if that feature is not something you care about.

Pete

[Ray G.]

Re: rebuild 67 ignition switch?

Hi Pete, thanks for your input ,the switch I removed has 686 stamped on it. I did not know or notice that I had to push in for the acc position, or perhaps that action had just worn out. Since my car is not a numbers matching, I am just interested in getting a seviceable replacement with the correct bulb holder which this EBay product has. I will post the results of this little adventure after it arrives and I install it. I wonder If I should get a new key switch to go along with the housing?

[Peter L.]

Re: rebuild 67 ignition switch?

Ray - Usually, it's the tumblers that wear with use and this allows the key to be pulled from the ignition lock cylinder in other positions instead of just the OFF position but that's not a big problem unless you're going to do a PV. . So, unless the ignition lock cylinder is physically broken, I would hold off getting a new ignition lock cylinder until you rebuild the switch or whatever. What's more the ignition lock cylinder is a easy swap to do if you determine you need a new one. Pete

[Gary B.]

Worn tumblers?

Pete,

In the case of an original '67 ignition lock cylinder that definitely has worn tumblers, why not just replace the tumblers rather than replacing the entire lock cylinder?

Gary

[Ray G.]

Re: rebuild 67 ignition switch?

Recieved and installed the repro ignition switch (#686) from "the parts lady". fit like a glove and the bulb snapped right in place. Thanks to all for your help!