63 to 67 Ignition Switches

[David R.]

What is the difference between the three switches? 63/64, 65, 66/67. I have a '65 and need a switch. I have been told by vendor that the '65 switch is not available. Will a '63 or '66 type switch plug in and work?

Dave

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches

What is the difference between the three switches? 63/64, 65, 66/67. I have a '65 and need a switch. I have been told by vendor that the '65 switch is not available. Will a '63 or '66 type switch plug in and work?

Dave

Dave -- this is the 1111660 switch you need. Here's what Chevy says for the new '65 models: "The ign. sw. on all Chevrolet passenger vehicles for 1965 has been re-designed to be a two-key system .... Key pattern change is due to the elimination of the "lock" position" (like in '63 and '64).

I seem to remember also that those 3 ears were a new anti-theft feature, to make it much more difficult to just unplug the wiring from the back of the switch and jumper the terminals. My picture shows the ignition tumbler, so you can see the mating surfaces inside the switch. This also might have been different for 1965; maybe even from '66 and '67.

[Gary B.]

63 to 67 Ignition Switches; available in NOS form

What is the difference between the three switches? 63/64, 65, 66/67. I have a '65 and need a switch. I have been told by vendor that the '65 switch is not available. Will a '63 or '66 type switch plug in and work?

Dave

David,

Any of the C2 Corvette ignition switches can be found as NOS items if you have the time to look. The four ignition switches for '63/'64, '65, '66, and '67 are different from one another.

There is a "660" switch, correct for '65, on e-bay now (item # 260731543820). It looks like that example on e-bay is missing the dark gray "cardboard" cover for the light that Wayne shows in his posting. Those covers often get lost with time. In any case, the price of the e-bay switch is reasonable based on my experience. I have no connection with that auction, nor do I know the seller, so I can't give you any feedback in that regard.

Gary

[Jeff S.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches

Dave

The lock cylinder for '66 is different. Note the 'blade' shape across the diameter of the '66 lock cylinder in the photo below & compare that with Wayne's lock cylinder & the female part of the switch die casting. '66 & '67 used the diameter-blade design, while earlier used the chord-shaped protrusion as in Wayne's example.

(Although '67 & '66 lock cylinders will exchange, the '67 model year started the specific keyway letter coding, so a key blank stamped with an 'A' is required for ignition.)

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches; available in NOS form

....There is a "660" switch, correct for '65, on e-bay now (item # 260731543820). It looks like that example on e-bay is missing the dark gray "cardboard" cover for the light that Wayne shows in his posting. Those covers often get lost with time. In any case, the price of the e-bay switch is reasonable based on my experience. ....

Gary --- I've got 3 of those (and mine even have the correct box ) one came with the inventory punch card. [obligatory disclosure --- none for sale ].

[Jim D.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches; available in NOS form

Gary --- I've got 3 of those (and mine even have the correct box ) one came with the inventory punch card. [obligatory disclosure --- none for sale ].

Not for sale. So basically you're just bragging.

[David L.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches

Dave,

Here are 2 photos comparing the 4 different 63-67 Corvette ignition switches. The 63-64 switch ("635") or it's aftermarket replacement will not work plug into your 1965 harness plug.

The "660" switch uses a cylinder with the end shaped like a half circle as shown in Wayne's photo. The "673" and "686" switch use a cylinder with a slotted end as shown in Jeff's photo.

The 63-64 cylinder is GM 3772085, the 65 cylinder is GM 1468116 or 3869215, the 66 cylinder is GM 7031272, and the 67 cylinder is 7033216.

There is a NOS 1116660 switch currently on Ebay for $85 (not mine). If you are interested in a used "660" switch at a very reasonable price sent me a PM.


Dave

[David R.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches

Thanks for all the info and pictures this is a great help! Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches

No one mentioned the difference in function between the 65 and 66 ignition switches. There was/is a difference. I described the difference here a few years ago.

[William L.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches

No one mentioned the difference in function between the 65 and 66 ignition switches. There was/is a difference. I described the difference here a few years ago.

John
On my 67 you have to push the key and switch in to turn to the ACC. position. I am not sure if that is true for 66, but I think so.
Bill

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches

John
On my 67 you have to push the key and switch in to turn to the ACC. position. I am not sure if that is true for 66, but I think so.
Bill

Bill,

You are correct. For 65, the key could simply be turned CC to the acc position. Starting with 66, the key/tumbler was supposed to be depressed before it could be turned CC to the acc position.
This was described in some of the "New Products For 1966" paperwork that I have.
I've heard that this function didn't always work though.

[William L.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches

John
If a 673 switch is for a 66 and 686 is for a 67.. What is the difference??
Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 to 67 Ignition Switches

The '660' and '673' switches were also used for, respectively, 1965 and 1966 passenger cars. The other switches are Corvette-only, although the '686' was also SERVICE for 1966 passenger cars.