Originally Posted by Napco Man
I just did this to my '51 chevy and it's not hard. You don't have to have a key to the original switch to get it out. Look at this Switch Tech Tip and it will guide you.

The secret is to get the detent pushed in with a paper clip (I used a small jewelers screwdriver), and rotate the key to the LEFT. You can use any key to turn it while the detent is pushed down. It took me several tries to get it out, then I put it back in a couple times to practice and I got better at it.

Good luck, George

I don't know what kind of switch you were working with but on the factory switches the pin that needs to be pushed in to remove the cylinder is not accessible until the cylinder is rotated, with the key in it, to where the hole is over the pin. Now some are worn so much that a screwdriver tip can turn it without a key but the hole still has to be over the pin in order to depress it.

"It's just a phase. He'll grow out of it." Mama, 1964

1956 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100
1953 Chevy 6100 "The Yard dog"
1954 GMC Suburban Now with a new proud owner.