Missing Keys

[Ray G.]

Re: Missing Keys

It's worth noting that while all the locks on the 63-64 mid-years original were designed to operate with the single key that both the ignition and door locks have 6 tumblers and therefore use all 6 of the cuts on the key; while the spare tire locks have 5 tumblers and use the 5 cuts on the key shaft going back from the key shaft point, and the glove box locks have 4 tumblers and use the 4 cuts on the key shaft going back from the key shaft point. So, a key cut from the tumblers of spare tire lock or the glovebox lock, might not operate the ignition or door locks because either the key shaft cut closest to the key head has not been identified in the case of the spare tire lock or the 2 key shaft cuts closest to the key head have not been identified in the case of the glove box lock where the tumblers on those locks are used. Pete

Hello Peter;
Hope all is well w/ you and yours.
Learn this again by reading your post.
Have a ignition lock to send to you.
Will email before.
Keep up the good work.
Ray

[Dino L.]

Re: Missing Keys

I think I just learned why the orginal spare lock I found at a swap meet for my 64 just so happened to operate with my original key without a re-key....that never made any sense to me....until just now..... it only uses 5 tumblers out of the 6....

[Gary B.]

Re: Missing Keys

I think I just learned why the orginal spare lock I found at a swap meet for my 64 just so happened to operate with my original key without a re-key....that never made any sense to me....until just now..... it only uses 5 tumblers out of the 6....

Dino,

But even with only 5 of the 6 tumblers I'd estimate there are still over 900 (4^5 minus some non-permitted adjacent cuts) different combinations out of the 1500 possibilities that exist for 6 tumblers. So, it's still a stroke of luck that your glove box key fit a random tire lock.

Gary

[Peter L.]

Re: Missing Keys

Dino - You should have played the lottery. You could have bought a bunch of spare tire locks and probably more Corvettes with the $$$$$$$.

Pete

[Dino L.]

Re: Missing Keys

What are the chances of my 64 ignition key working in another 64 corvette?

[Peter L.]

Re: Missing Keys

1 in 1500.

[Peter L.]

Re: Missing Keys

Jef - Did you get my E-mail. Pete

[Terry M.]

Re: Missing Keys

Dino,

But even with only 5 of the 6 tumblers I'd estimate there are still over 900 (4^5 minus some non-permitted adjacent cuts) different combinations out of the 1500 possibilities that exist for 6 tumblers. So, it's still a stroke of luck that your glove box key fit a random tire lock.

Gary

I know this is almost entirely off topic, but about 1974 I went to the parts department I frequented -- I knew the guys real well -- seeking a spare set of locks for my 1970. I had the key codes with me. I was just looking for the J & K locks because at that time all the SERVICE locks were coming in A & B keyways and they had advised me the J & K locks would be history.

They went to their lock & key locker -- at that time they re-coded locks if necessary -- and found two ignition locks with the correct keyway for me. When we looked closely at the locks both of them were stamped with my key code. The ignition key I brought along just for grins operated the locks just fine.

I have never figured out why there were two ignition locks with identical keyway and codes in their stash of parts, and they were as surprised as I. Best part of the story is they said since they were coded correctly for my car they must be mine. Those were the days.

I will leave it to you math wizards to figure out what the odds are of that happening, but I have NEVER won anything at the lottery.

[Peter L.]

Re: Missing Keys

Terry - No way to win the Lottery when you used up all your "good" luck on those ignition switch locks at Pete Georges' Parts Department. Pete

[Paul J.]

Re: Missing Keys

What are the chances of my 64 ignition key working in another 64 corvette?

Don't be surprised. The door key on most early 90's full size Chevy pickups will open other Chevy pickup doors of the same year.

[Peter L.]

Re: Missing Keys

Jef - Did you get the GB lock cylinder out????????? Pete