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I noticed I can remove the ignition key while the engine is running on my 57 (6 cyl) Is this normal or is my lock or key worn allowing this?

Thanks,

normal on an original lock - you may also find you can turn it on with a screwdriver if it's worn

Bill

Your '57 probably has an "off" position where you could take the key with you and the farm hands could start the truck without the key. It's the first position after you take it out of "lock".

Your '57 probably has an "off" position where you could take the key with you and the farm hands could start the truck without the key. It's the first position after you take it out of "lock".

Isn't there something like a "thumb/finger" bar, so you can turn the cylinder? Also you can turn it off & on without the key? Back in the day when you could trust your vehicle wouldn't get stolen. Or maybe they didn't want to make a lot of keys for the company truck? Just thinking out loud.

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. In the earlier AD trucks there was a little tab as you describe. On my '56 its a raised grab area around the key. I'm assuming the '57 is the same.

this is what yer talkin of [tho' it's not exactly like originals] - I think that style was on the cars, the trucks originally had the plain face locks, at least in my experience

Bill

My 55.1 panel had the second one. It was worn to the point I used a church key to turn it off & on.

MY 62 TOO

I had a 55.2 years ago that was so worn that I could turn it on by putting my thumb on the face of the switch and turning it. After I figurered that out, I don't think I ever used the key to turn it on.

Obviously from a time when you didn't have a steering lock!

Both cars and trucks of that era had the rib that you could turn them on/off without a key, however, if you turned them past vertical to the most counterclockwise position and then removed the key they were locked and a key was required to turn them back on.

I have a NOS 54-55.1 ignition switch. The switch has three positions, and in each position the key can be removed. But, in none of the positions can the switch be opperated without the key.

my 52 did that, in fact some times the key would just fall out
while driving it........lol

I just checked my NOS 54 switch with a meter to see how it works.

All the way counter clock wise is off, the key can be removed.

Center position is on or run. The key can be romoved. From the center position the switch can be turned off with a screw driver by turning it clock wise.

All the way clock wise is the off position for the "screw driver key" method. The key can be inserted and turned to the center position. This is the ranch hand option that others have mentioned.

My '56 has the original switch. It has 2 positions, off and on. there is no accessory position. It is smooth across the face like the 2nd one in Bill's (Red58) pictures.

best wishes,

Les

My 54 3100 with the original switch is also like the one in Bill's second picture, with only an On and Off position.
Samantha

I've only ever seen the 2 position ones on the 6 cyl foot start trucks, I'd be willing to bet all the originals had only on/off positions, no 'acc' or'lock', that started with the V8's and solenoid starters, which is the switch that's available repro

Bill

You're right Bill. One of the wiring diagrams I've seen shows a schematic for both switches. And you're right about the V8 one being the only repop.

Here is a shot of my NOS switch.

I have owned many 3 ADs and more TFs than I can remeber and they have all been original 6 cylinder trucks. I have never run across the 3 position switch before. So this one is new to me, with the 2 offs and one on position. This switch does not have an accessory position.

Hey Denny, sorry to here about your "NOS" fan. This switch is how all NOS parts should look. I picked this up from Tom Meyer in Oklahoma. Great guy, I got several hard to find parts for my 54 hydro truck, from him.

Wearing out the cylinder locks from having a heavy key ring hanging from them is still common today. I just replaced the switch in my '91 S-10 after driving it for 4 years with no key. The old one wore out 3 keys before the lock wore out.
If it bothers you not needing a key, put in an after market switch. I just always made sure my doors were locked.