'40 Ford Column, locked, no key, Help!

I've got a complete '40 steering column, steering lock, ignition switch and box.

The steering/ignition lock is on but the key I have for it doesn't want to unlock it.

What is the procedure now to unlock it all?

Thanks

 

haul it down to the nearest lock shop - takes about four seconds (or less) for a competent locksmith to pick that - and then they can even make a key.

do NOT go to a hardware store....find a lockshop that's been in business for awhile

dj

 

'40 Fords had a steering column lock??? Learn something new everyday....... How does it work? I mean, wasn't the key (ignition) switch on the dash? Or is this a separate mechanism that mounted to the column?

Obviously I'm not real educated on '40 Fords......

 

Or...drill out the pin visible under cylinder. It is large enough that you might be able to tap it and pull with a screw...STOP drilling at first sign of brass!! Remove cylinder, order key by code stamped on side. '32--48 locks are actually much more precise than most car locks, and are difficult to pick and impossible to jiggle with a wrong key.
If you know where the rest of the '40 is, easily removeable door lock should have the number.

 

And dont break the lock!! the repops today are supposed to be poor compaired to the originals

 

Thanks.

 

I wouldn't take a drill anywhere near it until you let a locksmith look at it, if you find an old school one, might be able to set you up with a new key.

 

This is what it looks like if you do.

 

do what bruce said and yes repos SUCK. i looked long and hard for my nos door and ignition locks.

 

Baxter Ford has NOS ones. I just got one for my 39. Cost $65, but it fit and worked perfect.

Taylor

 

Been into 40 Fords most of my life! DONT DRILL, HAMMER, BEAT ON IT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT!! Like most say, take it to a REPUTABLE locksmith, they are out there, just have to look, no ACE, Lowes, home Depot, etc. A good locksmith will have everything to make a correct, working key for it and if he cant, he will be able to remove the cyl without damage. DONT waste your money on reproduction cyls with keys, as others here have mentioned, THEY DONT FIT, WORK, ETC, save your money and buy an orig Ford, they are hard to find but well worth the money and effort. THEY WORK!! Believe me, I speak from experience. Good Luck, Dave

 

Address and phone # for Baxter Ford?

 

Starter buitton on dash, key switch and lock on column.

 

belvedere, they look a bit like this. starter button is on the left side of the dash.

 

Not just on '40s, either. My '36 had a steering lock, and I believe they continued through '48. When did they start?

 

'32-48, discontinued during 1948 when the new accountants took over Ford and started discontinuing the expensive touches.
Drilling the pin is an entirely correct and safe procedure if done with care...the lock cylinder was a replaceable part, and that's how it was replaced. A careful driller can even save the bigger (Post-1935) pin if careful. New pins, early and late, are about the cheapest bits in the entire catalog at any Ford resto parts place. A slob can totally butcher the assembly, of course. Once you have the number, you can mail order a new key from one of the specialists, since actual locksmiths have largely been replaced by the guy running a machine at Home depot.
By the way, if you have the car, start by pulling the door lock, as it originally matched the the ignition lock and is easy to pull for the number. Glove box, also easy to pull, matches trunk. Trunk lock cylinder with no key cannot be pulled without an actual knowledgable locksmith.

 

i tapped the hole on the column and got a special bolt from mcmaster carr. it's a inside allen head, short with a pin type tip......fit in the lock hole perfectly and the head is flush.

 

i took my 36 ford to a locksmith, and i took out the door lock , so he could make me a spair key. the locksmith was a young kid he did a good job the key works great good luck