Door lock help......1968 Corvette Coupe

[Michael G.]

Good day all. Am trying to help a friend with the door locks on his 1968 Corvette Coupe. Car has been sitting outside for 15+ years uncovered.....windows up and with doors appearing to be locked. He's found what is believed to be the door key which will rotate to the rear. I believe this locks the door however key will not rotate to the front....unlocking. Knowing the '68 door is unique am looking for suggestions or recommendations for getting door(s) unlocked short of breaking door glass. Of course theres the obvious.....'slim jim' however there are different styles of these.

Anyone been is the same situation, what did you do or what can be done? Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

[Paul J.]

Re: Door lock help......1968 Corvette Coupe

This is'nt much help, but it's a start. Another earlier thread is mentioned.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?94147-68-Doors&highlight=door+lock

Just keep playing with it on both sides, it's probably just stuck, as it would be unlikely that the rods are off on both sides.

Paul

[Edward J.]

Re: Door lock help......1968 Corvette Coupe

Mike, I think that a slim jim would not help on a c3 car as there is a plastic shield over the latch. If the lock cylinder is moving somewhat, I think that if you able to stick a small piece or two of shimming stock, that stuff you use to shim house doors or windows between the window and door sealing strip this may let you get some penetrating oil on the linkage.or maybe even take a look inside the door with a light.

[Terry M.]

Re: Door lock help......1968 Corvette Coupe

I think the door lock shields came later than 1968; so it might be worth a look down inside if you can get the window and door separated a little -- carefully.

[Michael G.]

Re: Door lock help......1968 Corvette Coupe

Thanks all. The window wipe has been pretty much ate away by Mother Nature. It's easy to see down inside the door, I'll look for a shield cover the latch. Any other suggestions?

[Terry M.]

Re: Door lock help......1968 Corvette Coupe

Thanks all. The window wipe has been pretty much ate away by Mother Nature. It's easy to see down inside the door, I'll look for a shield cover the latch. Any other suggestions?

Lubrication, young man, makes all sorts of good things happen. Too much is not enough.

[Peter L.]

Re: Door lock help......1968 Corvette Coupe

Michael - Before you get to far along, go and have a couple of the keys that operate the one lock somewhat made. Since it works in one direction, the good previous owners and/or their mechanic probably put good old graphite lube in the locks as GM recommended that has since hardened and the tumblers aren't moving very freely. So as Terry recommended put some lube and/or penetrating type oil in the lock and hope it works. Good luck, Pete

[Paul O.]

Re: Door lock help......1968 Corvette Coupe

Lubrication, young man, makes all sorts of good things happen. Too much is not enough.

Terry, Terry

Please this is a family friendly site.

[Terry M.]

Re: Door lock help......1968 Corvette Coupe

Terry, Terry

Please this is a family friendly site.

And you, sir, have a dirty mind.