Hello all! After bringing my '64 Fairlane home, I was inspecting various details when I placed the square key into the ignition and turned it. It moved very cleanly from OFF to ON, ON to START, and back to ON. When the key wouldn't move back into the OFF position so that I could remove it, I thought for sure there was some trick to it. After looking at several videos, and searching several forums, I haven't been able to find a solution. My first guess was that one or more of the tumblers in the lock cylinder had seized so I sprayed some WD-40 into the mechanism. I wiggled, jiggled, gently pulled, and pushed the key while trying to turn it counter-clockwise. It doesn't seem to want to let it go. I've seen several videos showing how to remove a functioning lock cylinder from a 60's Ford. In these cases though, the key is properly turning in the cylinder. My research would indicate that they didn't use any kind of steering wheel locks on these wagons, but I've tried moving the steering wheel as well. I've also tried shifting the 3-speed transmission to each gear. The battery is disconnected, the car is not running. I was thinking about tapping the key with a rubber mallet to possibly dislodge a seized tumbler, but first I wanted to ask here. Any help would be appreciated! The ignition is very similar to the attached image, but not identical.
A bad tumbler pin is my guess, also. My mom's two-year-old 1980 C-10 pickup had nearly the same thing happen, a bad tumbler pin cover on the cylinder barrel, which jammed the pins. You can remove the switch/lock cylinder assembly by unscrewing the escutcheon and putting a replacement switch/cylinder assembly in.
You can't remove bezel or switch without removing the the tumbler assembly first . Key has to be in acc. position and a pin inserted in the small hole under key. Try turning it to acc. with pliers while tapping with hammer Sometimes you have to pull on key once in acc, position with pin inserted pretty hard.
Like 63Fowagon said, turn the key to ACC, put a pick (paper clip) in the little hole to release the spring loaded pin, and turn it further to the left past ACC. Now if you pull on the key, the lock cylinder will come out with the key. You can try to disassemble it , take it to a locksmith, or buy a replacement lock set.
Happened to me with my '58 Ford last week. Key seemed jammed in. But I was heading to work and wouldn't leave it parked with the keys in. So I yanked the key out. Ignition was off but the cylinder was still not totally in the off position. Plus I couldn't turn it to ACC or put the key back in. But I could insert the tip of the key and start and drive so drove it for a week waiting for the weekend to fix it. Turns out the tumbler cover had popped off allowing one of the springs to come out. Damn tiny those little springs and hard to find on the floor. Anyway, I put the spring back in, oiled the interior works and then soldered the metal lid on solid. No problems now. BTW the cylinder can only be removed from the ignition switch in the ON position so be best to remove one of the battery poles while working on it.
In the 60's the key has to be in acc. 58& 59 didn't have little hole under key and cylinder removal was different.
That was the very last year for that type key/lock cyl. I had one on a '56 Ford get very loose,& when I got it apart,the cylinder was split lengthwise! New cylinder,new keys was my fix. I seem to recall that you pushed from the back and then turned the escutcheon so the whole switch came out.
Get a new ignition switch and lock cylinder first. Bust the key off and drill out the lock cylinder. You may get away with just having to replace the cylinder if you're good but Murphy's law says have another switch ready to go.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I went ahead and gave it a few taps with a rubber mallet, sprayed some more WD-40 for good measure, and gently turned the key to OFF. I was able to remove the key and compare it with the other two keys I had. I chose the least-worn of the three keys and was able to get the key into the ACC position. With the help of a paper clip I was able to turn the key past ACC and the lock cylinder came right out. Now that I have the lock cylinder out, it's easy to see how the mechanism works. I'm going to assume there is just some wear and tear on the mechanism. At this point I guess I'm looking at repairing or replacing. Thanks again!
By looking at your avatar and your dash same color combo as my 63 originally. Basically same cars but rear quarter changes. I spent 4 years on mine and touched every bolt, nut and screw sometimes twice . Good luck with yours.
