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1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1967 Mustang => Topic started by: drummingrocks on July 22, 2015, 12:46:36 PM

Title: Anyone ever "restored" original Ignition and Door Lock Cylinders?
Post by: drummingrocks on July 22, 2015, 12:46:36 PM
I was talking with a good friend at Mustang Week, and he was telling me about how he had the original locks sanded and buffed.  They looked great on his car; in fact, I thought they were new.

On my '67, I have the original door and ignition locks, but on the passenger's side lock assembly, the spring that's supposed to keep that small protector strip in place whenever a key is not inserted has broken.  Basically, the little piece that pushes aside whenever you insert a key is stuck in the open position (if that's clear as mud).

Any chance that spring could be replaced?  I went ahead and purchased a repro. set of door and ignition lock cylinders, but wasn't at all pleased with them.  If it's even an option, I'd be fine with destroying one of the repro. locks to use its internal spring.  I played with these locks for a while last night, but wasn't able to get very far.  I can see inside the lock and can tell that the protector strip is still in place, but that the spring is either out of place or broken.  From what I saw last night, it didn't seem like those assemblies were made to be taken apart.

I was just wondering anyone had ever been through this before.  I'd really prefer to keep the original lock set intact if it's at all possible.
Title: Re: Anyone ever "restored" original Ignition and Door Lock Cylinders?
Post by: 67gtasanjose on July 22, 2015, 01:01:39 PM
Locksmiths used to have kits to build some of the more popular varieties of locks. Find a locksmith who has been in business since the 80's anyways, you might be suprised what they have in their bag of tricks.
Title: Re: Anyone ever "restored" original Ignition and Door Lock Cylinders?
Post by: jwc66k on July 22, 2015, 01:25:11 PM
The cost of having a locksmith "fix" your locks is way more expensive than a new set, if you can still find them. Keep that in mind.
Jim
Title: Re: Anyone ever "restored" original Ignition and Door Lock Cylinders?
Post by: 67gtasanjose on July 22, 2015, 03:02:31 PM
The cost of having a locksmith "fix" your locks is way more expensive than a new set, if you can still find them. Keep that in mind.
Jim

TRUE, but you might find one who would sell or install just the new covers, which sounds like all that is needed.
Title: Re: Anyone ever "restored" original Ignition and Door Lock Cylinders?
Post by: Bob Gaines on July 22, 2015, 06:39:17 PM
The cost of having a locksmith "fix" your locks is way more expensive than a new set, if you can still find them. Keep that in mind.
Jim
+1 . Better and less expensive to find another original and pay to have it rekeyed  ;) .
Title: Re: Anyone ever "restored" original Ignition and Door Lock Cylinders?
Post by: Smokey 15 on July 22, 2015, 07:08:15 PM
+1 . Better and less expensive to find another original and pay to have it rekeyed  ;) .
Exactly what I would suggest. Have them all sanded and buffed. That way you would keep the original key code as well.
Title: Re: Anyone ever "restored" original Ignition and Door Lock Cylinders?
Post by: ruppstang on July 22, 2015, 11:52:18 PM
I would just find another nice original and move the tumblers and followers from your old lock. Take your time and keep track of where they go. If you mess it up no big deal a locksmith can easily fix it. I have done a number of them.
Marty
Title: Re: Anyone ever "restored" original Ignition and Door Lock Cylinders?
Post by: GD64 on July 23, 2015, 07:33:18 AM
+1 . Better and less expensive to find another original and pay to have it rekeyed  ;) .

I'm sure the locksmith would also suggest to replace your key, or (s)he is re-coding a lock to a worn key.
The replacement key should be cut to the factory code... not a duplicate key, one cut to code which is fairly easily done.
 
Title: Re: Anyone ever "restored" original Ignition and Door Lock Cylinders?
Post by: GT500KR on July 23, 2015, 08:44:33 AM
I would just find another nice original and move the tumblers and followers from your old lock. Take your time and keep track of where they go. If you mess it up no big deal a locksmith can easily fix it. I have done a number of them.
Marty
+1 on that, I've done this too, your best (and cheapest) solution!  ;)
Title: Re: Anyone ever "restored" original Ignition and Door Lock Cylinders?
Post by: drummingrocks on July 25, 2015, 10:53:01 PM
Thanks, I'll go that route.  I had no idea the tumblers and all of those pieces could be replaced or migrated over to a new door lock.