Ignition keylock and switch.

[Icelander]

Got the engine all put together. Got all the hoses put where they need to be. Wiring hooked up. Dropped the battery in and tried to turn her over... Looks like the idio... person I bought the car from gave me a key that will unlock the door but won't turn the ignition. >:(

Since we parted last on not-so-good terms I'm unable to get a different key for it. (I even tried the old key from my '71 Chevelle.. no luck.)

So now I'm stuck trying to remove the lock and switch from the dash but you have to have the key to turn the lock to remove the tumblers and then remove the bezel that holds the switch in the dash. I've got another one from Donor Car(tm) but it won't do me any good if I can't get this one out. Should I drill it or does someone have a less destructive method I am unaware of?

Kendall

[REED_RACING]

I think your screwed, :'(will need to drill the old one out.

[Pontiacshack]

I had this problem before. What I did was to spin the nut off of the ignition until it pulled the top off the switch. You will damage the ignition, but it sounds like you won't be using it anyway, right? Have fun! :P

[1PROGTO]

Call a locksmith.

[goatweed]

call a locksmith, they can replace the tumblers in the ingintion lock to match the door, or they can make a key to fit the ignition lock as it is. :D

[Icelander]

Ok... Well DonorCar's ignition switch came out as the shop manual said it would.

I drilled out the keylock on the the keeper car and discovered a large wad of electical tape behind the switch. (yikes!)

Now my dilemma is whether or not to just replace the electical tape with new (and solder all the joints that are now just twisted together) or delay the starting of the car long enough to pull the dash and harness out of DonorCar and stick it into the keeper.

The shame of it is, DonorCar is pretty much unmolested as far as the wiring harnesses and dash are concerned, The body is rotten and the carpeting etc is trash but I'm not sure it wouldn't have been easier to get the DonorCar running. The body on the keeper (gotta come up with a name) is fairly sound, but the wiring and dash look like someone attcked them with malice.

Anybody know how to hotwire the ignition so that I can get her running?

[REED_RACING]

Pull the wiring out of the donor car, you'll save a lot of hassle in the long run, of not fixing someone elses wiring mess. Been there done that.

[Icelander]

Thanks Reed. There is no doubt that I will be replacing the dash harness with the one from the donor, but since I'm running nine ways from Sunday I'm afraid that I won't get it completed till after Tiger Run.

I *really* want to get her running so that I can feel better about moving on to the brakes and then the dash harness.

Suggestions?

[REED_RACING]

Then try starting it now, if it hasn't been messed with.

[goatweed]

All you need to do is run battery power to the pos. side of the coil and jump the starter solenoid. I have test run engines that way :o

[Icelander]

Thanks Goatweed!
That's what I needed to know. I've got to find out if I managed to hose the transmission pump with that little alignment mishap while installing the engine. If not then the brakes, dash wiring, lights and bumpers are all that's left... oh and registration. :P

[Pontiacshack]

Just make sure you don't leave the hot wire on and walk away. The points don't like that very much. ;)

[Icelander]

Isn't that the same as leaving the ignition on? Assuming you have a working dash harness...:)

[Pontiacshack]

The way I was educated on the subject was, the direct 12 volt pwr to the points is more than the car will put to them when the ignition is used. I can't remember the exactly how it was put, but that is my uneducated way of explaining it. :P

[goatweed]

Kendall,
It will be ok to check how it runs and test things :D

Just don't leave it like that and drive around for days, the higher voltage can burn your points. :o but that is all it would do.

[Icelander]

Thanks! I'll give it a try just to see that it runs and the trans still pumps fluid. (I hope)