How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

[Wayne M.]

So you depress the brass pin with a straightened heavy gauge paperclip (I use the smooth end of a 0.058" dia drill) --- then what ? With the small hole in the outer circumference of the body, partially extending into the bezel. Inserting a push pin essentially blocks the possibility of rotation. And if you could turn the bezel (with key inserted), which way ? clockwise or c.c ? Does the tumbler then pop up or is some other step required ?

Also, the '65 TIM&JG is silent on whether the lock body is painted. Did they eliminate the paint with the introduction of the rubber boot (in '64 ?).

Here's a '63 lock (I traded for a '65, with the 1/4" drain hole -- thanks Pete)

[Gary B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Wayne,

Insert the key, use the paper clip to push down onto the small, spring-loaded, lock release pin, apply a small amount of torque to turn the key counter-clockwise while pushing downward on the paper clip and the key will start to turn. Remove the paperclip after turning a few degrees or it will get in the way. But don't release pressure on the paperclip until it feels like the release pin has been captured under the edge of the rotating core. After turning about 45 degrees counter clockwise, the lock core can be pulled out.

Gary

[Wayne M.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Wayne,

Insert the key, use the paper clip to push down onto the small, spring-loaded, lock release pin, apply a small amount of torque to turn the key counter-clockwise while pushing downward on the paper clip and the key will start to turn. Remove the paperclip after turning a few degrees or it will get in the way. But don't release pressure on the paperclip until it feels like the release pin has been captured under the edge of the rotating core. After turning about 45 degrees counter clockwise, the lock core can be pulled out.

Gary

Bingo; within 30 seconds of reading your excellent directions, my tumbler was out. Thanks, Gary.

[Harry S.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Wayne, that's an expensive early 63 only lock. have it re-keyed and enjoy.

[David L.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Wayne,

I know the "early" 1963 locks (63 Corvette w/VIN # 1450) were painted black WITHOUT the rubber boot and probably all the 1963 locks were painted black. Logic tells me that the locks were no longer painted after the rubber boot was added.

Dave

[Gary B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Bingo; within 30 seconds of reading your excellent directions, my tumbler was out. Thanks, Gary.

Wayne, like many things once you've done it once, it's trivially simple. Until that first time, it's complicated.

Gary

[Gary B.]

'63 early vs. not

Wayne,

I know the "early" 1963 locks (63 Corvette w/VIN # 1450) were painted black WITHOUT the rubber boot and probably all the 1963 locks were painted black. Logic tells me that the locks were no longer painted after the rubber boot was added.

Dave

Dave,

Just to be clear about the rubber boot, I believe that the '63 TIM&JG the boot states that the rubber boot first appeared around VIN 12,500 or approximately 4/9/63 according to the birthday calculator. Prior to that an foam-like rubber anti-rattle pad was used.

Regarding the "early" style locks (without the 1/4" weep hole) where does the VIN # 1450 cutoff that you cite come from? VIN 1450 would be around Oct 12, 1962. I've been curious about the no weep hole to 1/4" weep hole change date for a long time and I've never been able to pin down a date or VIN.

Gary

[Norm B.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Gary,

This is the lock from #2507, Oct. 29/62. It might get you closer to your goal of where the changeover was made. Ignore the blue, that was a previous owner's doing, she did not like Saddle Tan.

I have owned this car from 1983, the key fits the lock easily and works perfectly. Knowing the car the way I do after almost 30 years gives me no reason to doubt it is original to the car, although I cannot make any guarantees.

Norm

[David L.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Gary,

I sold my 63 SW coupe (VIN # 1450 made in Oct. 1962) in January 1990 and all I remember about the spare tire lock is that it was painted black and did not have the rubber boot. At that time the economy was taking a dive in the New England area. I ended up working in Maryland during the week and commuting back to NH on weekends.

Dave

[Wayne M.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

Here's another related question. Note two styles of retention pins (both circular in length, but one is beveled at its tip). Any comments ?

[Peter L.]

Re: Spare tire lock paint?

Wayne - Is it spring up there yet.

The spare tire locks used on Corvettes were painted black up until 1966 Production even though the rubber cover boot was used. So, 66 and newer spare tire locks were not painted. Also, please note that the face with the bolt hole on the 63-65 spare tire locks was not painted.

There was an article in The Corvette Restorer by Pat Krause on Corvette spare tire locks. He mentioned the chisel pointed lock bolt configuration.

Pete

[Gary B.]

'63-66 spare tire lock; beveled/chisel-point bolt-catch pin

Here's another related question. Note two styles of retention pins (both circular in length, but one is beveled at its tip). Any comments ?

Wayne,

I currently have two spare tire locks with the beveled pin. One lock has what appears to be an original anti-rattle pad still attached, so I assume that lock came from an early to mid-'63 car. The second lock is a '66 tire lock. Based on looking at about one hundred '63-'66 spare tire locks, I'd estimate the beveled pin occurs about 2% or 3% of the time. Pete, is that consistent with your observations?

Gary

[Gary B.]

'63 spare tire lock; Norm

Norm,

Thanks for posting the photos of your early '63 lock. I'll add that date to my research file.

Gary

P.S. That is one impressively disfigured are tire lock!

[Gene M.]

Re: How to remove key tumbler from '63-66 spare tire lock ?

If one does not have the original key, short of a lock smith is there a way to remove the tumbler thus enable rekeying the lock?

[Gary B.]

Spare tire lock; no key

If one does not have the original key, short of a lock smith is there a way to remove the tumbler thus enable rekeying the lock?

Gene,

In the absence of a key, the only way to open a spare tire lick without causing damage to the lock case or lock core is to pick it, which any old-school locksmith should be able to do. Locksmiths also have something called "tryout" keys (sixty-four keys in number for '66 and earlier locks) that are not cut like regular keys, but have fractional cuts that are supposed to open 75% of locks by rocking each key up and down in the lock to see if it works before proceeding from key to key in the set of sixty-four. In my hands tryout keys have worked in none of the locks I've tried them on (so much for the advertised 75% success rate), so I'm not a fan of tryout keys. For someone who is really skilled in picking, it is quicker to pick the lock using lock pick tools rather than to try up to sixty-four different keys, that might or might not work.

But be aware, locks that are badly corroded internally, e.g., the tumblers or the lock release pin is frozen in place, or something inside is damaged, may not be pickable, even after days of soaking in Kroil Oil or Liquid Wrench.

Gary