Ignition Lock Cylinder

[Eugene V.]

My current ignition lock cylinder is an E keyway service replacement. I bought a J keyway unit (1970 coupe) and want to know if this is the same as an originally installed part. I have looked at numerous photos on the we but, to no surprise, none of them show an ignition lock cylinder in detail.

Some photos are below, thanks for your help,

Gene Ventura







image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg

[Alan S.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Hi Gene,
I'm sorry I can't offer a picture of a 70 lock cylinder.
All I can do is these pics from my 71.
It looks quite different than the one in your pictures.
Notice the 'slash' at the 'lock' position and the difference in the size and detail of the 2 thumb/finger tabs.
Regards,
Alan
?
Regards,
Alan

[Joe L.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Hi Gene,
I'm sorry I can't offer a picture of a 70 lock cylinder.
All I can do is these pics from my 71.
It looks quite different than the one in your pictures.
Notice the 'slash' at the 'lock' position and the difference in the size and detail of the 2 thumb/finger tabs.
Regards,
Alan
?
Regards,
Alan

Alan-----


The 1969 lock cylinder was just like the 1971 (except the index groove was painted red which may or may not be how the 1971 originally was). I have every confidence that 1970 was the same configuration (with or without the red paint).

The part number for this lock cylinder has changed several times over the years. Originally, it was an uncoded lock cylinder (to be coded by the installer to match the existing key cut). Later, it became a coded cylinder which required using the keys supplied with the cylinder. In fact, it's still available from GM under GM #20071252. However, I don't know if this cylinder uses the "J" key slot configuration, or not. "J" was the original key slot for 1970 ignition, though.

Addendum:

I did a little more checking. Apparently, only the 1969 lock cylinder had the red painted indexing groove. Later model years had the same groove but no red paint in the groove. In any event, I don't think any of those, at least those used for 1969-72, originally had a "triangular pointer" for the indexing mark.

[Eugene V.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Joe and Alan,

thanks for for your replies. The lock cylinder is a service replacement with the part number 345083.

Both of you addressed my concerns with this part, perhaps the outer piece can be swapped with the current cylinder to achieve the correct appearance while retaining the J keyway.

Thanks again,

Gene

[Peter L.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Gene - If you have the KEY NUMBER on the the key KNOCK OUTs, it will give you an indication of the vintage of the ignition lock cylinder unit. Pete

[Eugene V.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Pete,

The number is 5F49, it is on the key knockouts and the bottom of the lock cylinder. How can I determine the vintage form that number?

Thanks,

Gene

[Peter L.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Gene - Interestingly, the KEY NUMBER 5F49 is in the Key Series 0F00 to 9F99 used on 1970 GM Products that used the "J" code keys. In 1970 GM also used the KEY Series with KEY #s 0E00 to 9E99 on the "J" code keys. I was hoping that the Key Series & the fact that the bezel had the triangle position pointer instead of the straight line pointer which as Joe mentioned is typically of the configuration used on the 1970 Corvettes that it might be indicative of the style used in another year or years. I guess the Fisher or other GM Product Line Engineers didn't like the straight line pointer as in the Corvette key switch bezel. Pete

[Eugene V.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Pete,

Thanks for your reply. It is good to know that this was used in 1970 vehicles.

This question may not be in your area of expertise, but could this cylinder be used and not receive a deduction? If using this cylinder is practicable, then is it possible to re-key the door locks so that the car can be returned to a single key operation?


Thanks again,

Gene

[Joe L.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Pete,

Thanks for your reply. It is good to know that this was used in 1970 vehicles.

This question may not be in your area of expertise, but could this cylinder be used and not receive a deduction? If using this cylinder is practicable, then is it possible to re-key the door locks so that the car can be returned to a single key operation?


Thanks again,

Gene

Gene-----


GM #345083 was not originally used for 1970 vehicles. In fact, that part number did not exist during 1970. GM #345083 was released as a CODED (i.e. with key) lock cylinder for 1974-77 Corvettes. It became the third generation supercessive part for 1970 Corvettes in February, 1977. It replaced an UNCODED (i.e. code to work with existing key) lock cylinder of GM #7042761.

In my opinion, a sharp judge would be able to discern the external visual difference, albeit minor, between the 345083 and the original 1970 cylinder. Of course, that does not mean that all judges would detect that difference.

I believe the 345083 could be recoded to work with the original key. However, that, of course, would not render the 345083 indiscernible from the original cylinder.

[Eugene V.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Joe,

Thanks for that information.

My thinking here is as follows: I currently have a single key which operates the door locks. It is an aftermarket key. The key which operates the ignition lock has the GM logo and an E at a 45 degree angle. Neither key has the knockouts. I wanted to have the door locks recoded to use the J keyway key because the new cylinder keys have the knockouts in place.



It appears that that there is no pain free solution to this problem.

Were the door locks and ignition lock cylinders the same for all models in 1970?

Thanks,
Gene

[Joe L.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Joe,

Thanks for that information.

My thinking here is as follows: I currently have a single key which operates the door locks. It is an aftermarket key. The key which operates the ignition lock has the GM logo and an E at a 45 degree angle. Neither key has the knockouts. I wanted to have the door locks recoded to use the J keyway key because the new cylinder keys have the knockouts in place.



It appears that that there is no pain free solution to this problem.

Were the door locks and ignition lock cylinders the same for all models in 1970?

Thanks,
Gene

Gene------


If by "all models" you mean other Chevrolet as well as other GM carline models, the answer is the same ignition and door locks were used for many models but not all models.

The "square key" was used for both ignition and door locks which were keyed the same. The "oval key" was used only for the rear compartment and spare tire lock.

[Eugene V.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Joe,

I was not clear with that question. I was referring to Chevrolet models. Say an Impala, Nova, something a bit easier to find in the local salvage yard than a Corvette.


Gene

[Joe L.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Joe,

I was not clear with that question. I was referring to Chevrolet models. Say an Impala, Nova, something a bit easier to find in the local salvage yard than a Corvette.


Gene

Gene------


Yes, I believe the same lock cylinder was used for most other 1970 Chevrolet models. There may or may not be exceptions but, unfortunately, I can't say which ones.

[Eugene V.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Joe,

This cylinder was was not installed in Corvettes at the factory in 1974/1977 but was strictly a service replacement part, is that correct?

Thanks,

Gene

[Joe L.]

Re: Ignition Lock Cylinder

Joe,

This cylinder was was not installed in Corvettes at the factory in 1974/1977 but was strictly a service replacement part, is that correct?

Thanks,

Gene

Gene-----


Yes, as far as I can tell, it was not a part used in PRODUCTION throughout that period. For one thing, the same keyway slot was not used for all those years so the same cylinder could not have been used for all years. In any event, I expect that the 345083 was externally identical to the cylinders used in PRODUCTION for those model years.