1969 Ignition, Door and Trunk locks (Keeping Original Code Numbers)

[Bryan302]

For restoration purposes, Is there any way to replace or rebuild the lock cylinders and keep your original key codes?  Basically, can the cylinders be made or rebuilt to the key and the original numbers?

Also, somewhere I read that the newer or repop GM code E and H key blanks had changed from the original type.  What are the differences in the way the blanks are made now than the original?  Is there a way to identify an NOS or original GM code E and H blank?

Thanks,
Bryan

[BULLITT65]

 
I have known a few lock smiths that can rebuild them. Not sure about key blanks

[69pace]

Any real true locksmith can re-key any lock cylinder to any key or key code you have. Its their stock and trade.

[BULLITT65]

Not sure how many now a days have the parts on hand to re-key a 40 year old lock. I know 10 years ago I had one go to guy because many shops, only dealt with the newer stuff.

[69pace]

Good reading here: http://www.camaros.org/keysandlocks.shtml

Yes there are differences between the series, but 69 only used E/H. Call the locksmith first, if he needs parts then all you need to do is buy the new E/H lock set and bring them with the old E/H keys, they take about 5 minutes to re-pin the cylinder.

[68camaroz28]

Good reading here: http://www.camaros.org/keysandlocks.shtml

Yes there are differences between the series, but 69 only used E/H. Call the locksmith first, if he needs parts then all you need to do is buy the new E/H lock set and bring them with the old E/H keys, they take about 5 minutes to re-pin the cylinder.

Excellent advice! A side note: Observe older E/H keys had a type of milled or cut slot that went back about where the rectangular part of the key started. The much later service replacement E/H keys have a slot that does not go back as far and can cause issues with key fit up to the original lock set. If you see one of each type the difference is quite evident.

[Bryan302]

Thanks Chick and 69pace, that was just perfect information!

69pace, so, if a new lock has been cut already and has its own code, are you saying a lock smith can change that to my key code?  Can he also change the case that has the code stamped in it?

Thanks,
Bryan

[z28z11]

My local locksmith has not only recoded cylinders for me, but also used the key codes (which are stamped on the side of the cylinders) to make new keys to the original codes. You can buy uncut year-correct key blanks on eBay, and have them cut to the original cylinders. My guy even took a later year key blank and extended the key section back to make it work on the early cylinder. Good locksmith is worth his weight -

First thing I did when I brought the '68 Z home was to pull all the locks and find the original key codes - door, trunk and ignition were originals, glove box was changed. (original key codes were listed a lot of times on dealer invoices, like my X77). One code was on my '68 invoice, the other was not completely shown.

Regards,
Steve

[Bryan302]

Thanks Steve!

Ok, I see that I slightly mis-worded my question a bit.  Let me try again.  From Steve's and 69pace's explanation of re-pinning or recoding the cylinders to your old original key code, I understand.  Here's what I'm concerned about, If you take a NOS or new lock cylinder to use to recode, and the locksmith does his work.  Now, you have a NOS lock cylinder, recoded to your original code, but it STILL has the NEW KEY CODE on the case, doesn't it?  Can the locksmith take the NOS lock, recode it to my code and put the new guts in my old case with my original code on the outside?  And, my chrome bezel is ugly and will not do for restoration, can this piece be changed also?

My GM parts man hooked me up with original E/H blanks today, and cut two pair to my original code.  This new key helped some, but there is way to much wear in the inside!  It works, but it is sloppy.

Thanks,
Bryan

[69pace]

To answer both questions: Yes an existing cylinder can be changed to the code of any other key-way in that series.
And I would guess the case number can be ground off and a new key-code stamped in its place.

[firstgenaddict]

It's just the height of the tumblers... cutting keys from codes is easy... if you have a set of correct year code books.

Replacing the tumblers is not a very difficult operation and you can probably pick up the parts on EBAY.

[Rufcar]

I was able to clean my tumblers and took them to my local Chevy garage and they simply cut me new keys from the numbers on them. I only had 1 ignition key nothing else. A previous poster was correct if you have a good local lock smith, they should be able to do the whole job pretty easy. My suggestion was only if you have good tumblers and no keys. Usually they are just really dirty and are not broken but rather gummed up to the point of not even turning!

[Daytona Z]

Yes, locks can absolutely be recoded. I am a certified master locksmith and have taken more than a few courses offered by Len White, Hank Spicer, Gilbert Garcia and a host of other top level instructors back in the 80's. I used to do a lot of these cars and locks back then and still have a couple cases of NOS locks left over from my early days as a locksmith.

About 15 years ago I started doing up lock kits for guys cars through eBay and sold a couple hundred sets for Chevelle, Novas and Camaros. One of these days I might go out into my storage shed and pull the rest of them out and start selling them again. I also have a few dozen boxes of the old NOS key blanks as well. These ones still have the original knock outs in the heads, unlike all the repop stuff made and offered today. I think I have most if not all key ways available still. I did post a couple threads on locks for TC years ago and think people are still using those to help R&R their ignitions and glove box locks.

Any competent locksmith can recode your locks with the only small issue being the door locks. Once you cut the original cap off to re-key it, you have install the newer styled cap that crimps on in 4 places once it's recoded. The originals were crimped at the factory and sealed all the way around the lock case. I have been told that NCRS judges locks and if the cars have been recoded with new caps installed, they deduct a point for that.

[Z28Project]

Go to your storage shed and get that stuff out!

It would e nice to have some old original E/H keys with the knockouts still in them!

John

[HawkX66]

Any competent locksmith can recode your locks with the only small issue being the door locks. Once you cut the original cap off to re-key it, you have install the newer styled cap that crimps on in 4 places once it's recoded. The originals were crimped at the factory and sealed all the way around the lock case. I have been told that NCRS judges locks and if the cars have been recoded with new caps installed, they deduct a point for that.

If you are very careful removing them, you can re-use your original caps.