Does anyone know how to do this without the keys, I have tried absolutely everything, I know I am supposed to put the key in, and then something in the small hole, BUT I don't have keys for the car, any bright ideas? another dumb question, how do I get the rear brake drum off? is there something holding it other than friction? THANKS
S.A. answers first: hacksaw, chisel and hammer for the ignition... Hammer for the rer drums The rear drums are probably stuck on with rust...turn the brakes down with the adjuster on the back side...hammer on the axle and around the drum/lugs, bust the rust loose...should come off after much banging... On the ignition...good luck-- you need a key...have a locksmith come over and make you a new one...insert key, turn to start (or back the other way, to accessory, insert a paper clip in the little hole and keep turning, it'll all slip out. Then you can remove the locking ring the holds the whole thing in...on earlier models of GM, the harness MAY NOT unplug...it's held on with screws!!! R- How are ya Doc?
If it's anything like my 49 Chevy, there's two small screws that go up into a bracket under the dash below the key switch. Take those two screws out, and the whole bracket with the switch on it will come out from behind the dash. The wires are held on with nuts. I replaced my stock switch with a 12v universal one that you can get for $6 to $8 at a local parts joint or Wal Mart. Works great, and only needed a little ingenuity to adapt to the stock bracket. The drums should come off with a hammer. If you can reach the adjuster wheel and it isn't frozen, try backing it off some. If not...keep at with the hammer. The rear brakes were locked up on my 49 when I got it home, and even my wimpy ass got the drums off with a hammer and a little effort!
you CAN get the ign. out of the dash , BUT you will most likely mess up the retainer ring and or threads on the ign switch-prolly both , BUT you have to have a key to get the LOCK out of the cyl. Fords are easier -drill out the brass retaining pin
Hey Stude, Things are alright, I have been working on the car quite a bit lately since we have the warm weather now. But I got stumped on this ignition cylinder, the unfortunate part is that I have messed up the lock too much now, that I won't be able to get a key cut for it. Any other solutions? drill it out? Anyone have an ignition switch from a 50's poncho they want to get rid of??? How is the caddy comin?
For replacement Pontiac parts,try Year One or Ames Performance Engineering;both have websites and downloadable catalogs. For the rear drums,take some PB Blaster and spray it around the lugs AND the center hole.That's where the rust usually seizes it onto the axle.Also make sure the adjustment is backed off all the way,
the whole lock thingy will come out from behind the dash, i forget exactly how mine was, but it is pretty simple if you get under there. then you can just take it and have a new key made from it, i think. i've got mine, but ya can't have it on account of me using it in my own heap. the back drums SHOULD be very easy if the adjuster is backed off. there is like maybe 3 bolts that hold the drum onto the hub if memory serves, and mine had these KILLER gaskets that prevented ANY rust from forming between the two. i took the bolts out of mine (1950), tapped it with a hammer and it damned near mashed my foot when it fell off. i could have knocked it off with my, uh, pinky finger.
"safariknut" the unfortunate part is that both Year One or Ames sell parts for post 55 only, that unfortunately doesn't help me. thanks though "chromed" I got the switch out from behind the dash no problem, the only problem I seem to be having now is that I messed it up by attempting to break it out and now I won't be able to get a key cut for it. Anybody have any solutions now that I have messed op the cylinder all to hell?
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