Anyone got any hints on replacing the key cylinder on a 1946 Ford steering column? Bought car, got title but no key. Steering is locked and can't move it around very well. Did internet search and couldn't find much, would like to keep stock steering with three on tree. Thanks, Mark.
About two years after I bought my 48 Ford I got it running and drove it over to the guy I bought it from. I needed a door and trunk key. Told him I have never thrown away a key in my life and wondered if he might have some laying around. He said as a matter of fact he have a coffee can full of old keys. Long story short he had both the keys I needed.
I have no idea how to get it out but about a 3/8ths pin goes up into the column about 7/16 into my late thirtys ford column. it looks like it would be a bitch to steal.
First unscrew the retainer allen-head bolt on a DOOR lock...they come out easily, and if one or both is original you just need to find an old lock smith who can follow the code thereon. Originally car had same key for doors and ignition, another for glovebox and trunk. If no sucess, look on underside of casting where ig lock lives, drill hole in the rather large pin and work it out. All Ford locks I have removed except one have had the code stamped on the side.
What Bruce said--be very careful removing the pin-then the cyl will come out--try the key trick 1st-have done quite a few 40 column locks this way-seems the repo ign lock cyls make the key out of phase or sideways from orig but they work OK
Hey thanks, I did find a posting in an old Ford site that talked about welding flatwashers to bolts that were made to break but that seemed way too weird. No one else was able to tell me if the door key was the same as the ignition, thanks Bruce for that info. Will try to drill out pin.
The bolts don't need to come out unless complete teardown of the column drop is needed...The clamp holding it around column and one or both of bolts holding the whole thing to dash had hex heads designed to snap off when tightened to spec, leaving a head like a carriage bolt to frustrate car thieves and future restorers. My '48 has all three...and none broke off. That guy on the Edgewater assembly line must have noy been feeling well on November 11, 1948... Remember, pop out door locks first...if original you can just go get a key made. Pull both, as often driver side wore out and was replaced alone by cheapskate owner. Almost all of the locks will clean up ready to use with a good flushing out of dirt and a fresh key.
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