<VV> EM ignition lock & key

[Larry Forman]

GM did not use a ton of key combos. Often there are club members, or 
even yourself, who might have a key close enough to remove the cylinder 
lock as below.   Once it is removed, you can see when the correct key 
combo makes all the parts align properly.   Often taking a close key and 
stroking it while turning it, like a lock picker would do, you can make 
a wrong key act like a proper key.

I was once in my college parking lot and happened onto a damsel in 
distress, who had locked her keys in her early 60's GM car.   I offered 
to try my 59 Chevy key to see if I could open her door. She agreed to 
let me try, thinking that it would certainly not hurt, but also would 
likely not work.   On the first try, stroking the key a couple of times 
into the lock and gently turning it the proper way to unlock it, the 
lock button popped open and the door was unlocked.   It took all of a 
couple seconds to open the door.   The girl could hardly believe how 
easily I was able to get into her car with my car key.  The expression 
on her face was priceless.

Larry

On 10/25/2012 7:41 AM, corvairduval at cox.net wrote:
> When new, you could not lock the ignition switch without the correct key.
>
> Now with 50 years of wear, it can be possible to have a close cut key that
> can lock the cylinder and not readily unlock it. But with lube (graphite)
> and wiggling, it should unlock it again.
>
> The best is to try the key and have a paper clip at the ready. When the
> lock turns to "lock", insert the paper clip and keep turning CCW. Pull out
> the cylinder and look at the 4 digit number. WIth that number a locksmith
> with old data, or myself, can tell you what the key cuts should be or make
> you a code cut key that will work great.
>
> Frank DuVal
>
> Original Message:
> -----------------
> From: Kinzelman, Andy akinzelm at greatnortherncorp.com
> Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2012 07:30:20 -0500
> To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
> Subject: <VV> EM ignition lock & key
>
>
> Guys,
> I have a 64 that has been sitting a while.  The ignition is not locked.
> Although I am certain I have a key somewhere - is there any way I can be
> certain I have the correct key in hand without locking the ignition?  That
> is, would the wrong key allow me to put it into lock than not allow me to
> unlock it again?
> Thanks,
> Andy K.
>
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