ignition removal

[57Matt]

Pulling the dash in my 57 and the only hold up I'm having is with the ignition. There is no key and I would prefer not to tear anything up getting it off. The mechanism will rotate through OFF, ON, and START, but I cannot get it to move into LOCK and I can't feel the release button w/ my paper clip in any of those positions. Any suggestions?

Thanks, Matt

[chevman57]

Matt i`ve always had to have the key to remove the ignition switch. If the door locks haven`t been changed they use the same key as the ignition switch. So just pull one of them and have a locksmith make a key from the # on the door lock.
Terry

[1957chevy]

I have the same problem, I don't have the ignition key so I can't turn my switch to lock so I can't get it apart.

[557B210]

A good locksmith should be able to make you a key...Then you will be able to remove the lock...That's the only way I think it can be done..

[57Matt]

You guys are great! I'll get the door lock off and let y'all know how it turns out.

Thanks, Matt

[1RARE57]

We are about to start this same project today. Our 57 only came with one key for the trunk and that key doesn't work on the doors or ignition. So thinking that the likeliness of a door lock working on the ignition is slim to none. Our ignition is stuck in the ON position and can only move it to START.

So I'm going to guess, and correct me if I'm wrong, we are pretty much completely FUBAR'd!:eek:

Also any help on replacing all the other locks on the car would be great. Got a great deal from Merv's Classic Chevy parts yesterday while we were at the Back to the 50's show in St. Paul. Today's project is replacing the door, trunk, glove box and HOPEFULLY the ignition.

Thanks!

[levi 1983]

hi guys .. when i bought my 56 , it was without an ignition key... i took a door lock cylinder out , and took to a locksmith.. the only problem was that .. if i remember correctly , the ignition lock has more tumblers in it than the door..but it gave them a starting point.. they made me about four keys that were possible combos .. one worked and they all worked the doors .... Fred

[hrbhrb]

This falls into the "It's worth a try, you never know" catagory. There are only a few (someone told me once, about ten) key configurations for the trifives.
Try every trifive key you or your friends have. One might fit. Among the seven or so cars my friends own, several are interchangable.
Bob

[acardon]

We are about to start this same project today. Our 57 only came with one key for the trunk and that key doesn't work on the doors or ignition. So thinking that the likeliness of a door lock working on the ignition is slim to none. Our ignition is stuck in the ON position and can only move it to START.

The trunk and glove box key were originally different from the door and ignition key. This was to provide security for your stuff, if you left your car with a valet parking attendent.

[1RARE57]

Well the good news was that we did try the only key we had (which we were told was only for the trunk), and sure enough it worked on the ignition and drivers door. It didn't work for the glove box or passenger side door - but we were happy we can now lock our car and actually lock the ignition! YEAH! :D

We were able to return the lock set we purchased. I found in the assembly manual for 57 on how to key your locks to the key you have. So we are going to attempt this soon to do it on our own...looks actually fairly simple.

[1-bad-57]

Well the good news was that we did try the only key we had (which we were told was only for the trunk), and sure enough it worked on the ignition and drivers door. It didn't work for the glove box or passenger side door - but we were happy we can now lock our car and actually lock the ignition! YEAH! :D

We were able to return the lock set we purchased. I found in the assembly manual for 57 on how to key your locks to the key you have. So we are going to attempt this soon to do it on our own...looks actually fairly simple.


That sounds good!! Where in the assembly manual did you find the info. on how to key your locks?:confused:

[1RARE57]

That sounds good!! Where in the assembly manual did you find the info. on how to key your locks?:confused:

It's actually in the Shop Manual (Green and White cover). I don't have the book in front of me, but I believe it is page 1 - 110. I know it's in the first section and it says right in the Table of Contents.

You can do it one of two ways. If you have the key, you can lay it on the diagram and it tells you what the key code is for each of the six positions. Or if you don't have a key, you can take the lock out of the door and read where each position is to know how to code your key.

If you or anyone else tries this before me - let me know how it goes!