The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk ignition switch

It seems I recall that Chevy used to have an ignition switch that you could turn to a position, take the key out and then the ignition switch would work as normal but without the need for a key. If I have it right the sides where the key goes in is raised so that you can grip it without a key in it.
Anyway, I remember one of my cousins from out on the farm saying that is what he had installed on his 63 GMC. Maybe he was pulling my leg and the ignition cylinder was just worn out??
Does anyone know what I am talking about? Ever heard of this?

Of course. My '48 has one. With the key in the ignition, turn the key to the right, remove it, and you can turn the ignition back to center and start it without the key. with the key in the ignition, turn it to the left and remove the key, and the ignition is locked. I don't know about the second series AD's, but the '47-54's work like this.

My '48 Chevy 1/2 ton has this type of ignition switch as well. It certainly is the product of a simpler time and place in our country's history. A neat little feature actually! Jim Carter has posted an article on this topic.

http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/index.php/2010/02/ignition-switch-changes/

ENJOY!

My '56 has it. My '54 burb and '53 yard dog don't.

My Corvair had that type of switch. Unless you turned to the switch to the "locked" position, the switch could be used without the key.

Good to know that it does exist.
Does anyone know if that was an option on the early 60's trucks.
Or can I adapt my ignition switch to operate this way?

Very common in early GM vehicles. All of Dads Buicks had that type switch until at least '56. Never locked them and we lived in OKC. Only time the car was stolen was when my brother and I did it in the middle of the night.

Came standard on early 60's Chevrolet Corvair Trucks. (are they really stovebolts?)

I had a Corvair van and it had a distant relative of the stovebolt six - a pancake six (hard to believe that it leaked more oil than an stovebolt).

The old GM ignition cylinders are prone to wear so many of the type that don't have that feature can still be turned without a key. My old '55.1 panel was that way. I used a can opener (church key) to operate my ignition.

My 62 vette had that. Half the time I wouldn't even take my keys.

My '66 has the original ignition switch and it's that way.

All good info guys.
Thanks.
I think I am going to have mine set up that way. After all the work I did painting the interior I want to keep it looking good and not have the paint scratched by the key chain.

Install a hidden kill switch to deter unauthorized use.

Yeah, for sure. These days are not the 50-60s.
I like a latching relay operated by a hidden momentary switch.

Went to a bone yard this last weekend and found an ignition switch that has this feature. It is not from a truck (has a dash light receptical built into the housing). However it does work as we have been discussing.
I tried to put its tumbler in my ignition housing and the feature goes away.
If I put my tumbler in its housing the feature still works.
So my study has determined that it is the housing that allows this feature.
So now I either need to trim the light receptical from this new housing or find a workable truck housing or figure out how to modify my existing truck housing.

The switch and the lock are two separate entities. Why can't you install the switch with light hole in the truck?

I can but it means cutting off the light hole and installing a non-original switch.
Not really a big deal I suppose.