1951 Pontiac Chieftain

[Hooli]

That's sexy in orange!

[PhilA]

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Today I decided to fix the trunk lock. A while back I had lost the key to it so I had just removed the catch and left it closed by gravity.

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I managed to pick the lock and removed the barrel. I measured the tumbler pins and calculated the depth of cut on the key. Only tools required to pick this lock pictured. Apparently it's a difficult lock to get into- first one I've ever tried but it took me about 40 minutes to figure out. There are 1296 combinations to be had with this series of lock.

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I went bought a key blank at the store.

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Carefully marked the depths to cut with my vernier calipers and then filed the gaps down. Reassembled it and now I have a working key that unlocks the trunk and glove box. I'll get a spare cut from it.

Next up in this series will be removing the door handles and figuring what damn pushbuttons they put in them because the key blank doesn't fit the handles. I think they're much newer locks.

Phil

[PhilA]

Wait, they take the same type of key. I was trying to put it in upside down.

Trunk doesn't match the doors so I'll pull the door locks and try do the same thing.

Phil

[PhilA]

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Took the door lock to bits and cut a key. I need to get a new O-ring for inside- it acts as a silencer and positioning.

Also the lock pin rod is missing from the driver's door so I'll pull the passenger side off and copy it. I think the door pins themselves are beyond it. Might have to get some replacements.

Phil

[PhilA]

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Bent a piece of coat hanger wire to shape tonight.

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Added a piece of plastic tube to bring the diameter to that of the pin.

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Test fit. Clunk! That'll work.

Phil

[mercrocker]

Nice work, Phil....I have tried, unsuccessfully so far, to get a working lock barrel into the boot handle of the Cowley. Managed to change a door one but cutting my own key didn't go very well!

[LynehamHerc]

Watching this thread is like watching either McGyver or The A Team," He fashioned a working Kalashnikov from the remains of an old jack and a snapped cambelt..."

[PhilA]

Nice work, Phil....I have tried, unsuccessfully so far, to get a working lock barrel into the boot handle of the Cowley. Managed to change a door one but cutting my own key didn't go very well!

Those are fairly straightforward, if I recall they're just a sliding gate with 4 pins and a bitting of 4.
If you can pull the barrel apart and get the sliders out you can measure them with a calipers and mark the relevant depth on the key blank and file to match. That should get a working key.

[mercrocker]

Aye, I think it was my filing that didn't go well, though!

[PhilA]

Yeah, of the 4 blanks I bought, 2 are in the bin...