Orientation of the key in the ignition

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Jason Parolini
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Orientation of the key in the ignition

#1 Post by Jason Parolini »

I noticed yesterday when I took my car out for a drive that the ignition started to turn a little from It’s normally dead straight up and down position. I need to figure out how to tighten that up and get it back to where it supposed to be.

On my 64C, when the key is in the ignition, are the teeth supposed to be down or up?

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Victor Ingram
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#2 Post by Victor Ingram »

Jason
Easy fix, the switch on the back has threads. Hold the switch in the desired position and reach under the dash and tighten the nut.
Teeth should be facing up.
Hope this helps

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#3 Post by Vic Skirmants »

There is a special washer with two raised projections that should fit into the slots in the mounting hole. This is often missing, or the projections have been flattened from improper assembly.

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Martin Benade
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#4 Post by Martin Benade »

I think that tightening the nut behind the dash is a very hard way to do it. Much easier is to pull off the bezel on the front, check on the locating washer, and while it’s apart run the nut up the threads maybe a half turn. Then reassemble and tighten the bezel which takes a special spanner, or I think some snap ring pliers sort of work. But not on a full concours car.
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Wes Bender
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#5 Post by Wes Bender »

That's correct Martin. The nut behind the dash is intended as a rough approximation, but the actual tightening is done on the bezel. Doesn't have to be torqued down very hard. I even did it once using the shanks of two drill bits in the holes.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

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John Clarke
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#6 Post by John Clarke »

Yes.
Mine Turns on Start Up! Annoying. I don't have that 'Special'
Locking Tool. You can Slip with the
Snap Ring / '0' Ring Pliers. Careful !
Jay
 

Dave Erickson
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#7 Post by Dave Erickson »

I use a 1/16" punch with the tip ground to a point and a small hammer. As Wes says, it doesn't have to be that tight..

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Mike Smith
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#8 Post by Mike Smith »

By: Vic Skirmants on Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:27 pm
There is a special washer with two raised projections that should fit into the slots in the mounting hole. This is often missing, or the projections have been flattened from improper assembly.

The Special Washer is essential and available from Stoddard at $12
Or £12 from PRS in the UK
Mike Smith (Essex - UK)

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Mark Roth
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#9 Post by Mark Roth »

In the past I used a hammer and nail to carefully tighten the bezel.
Then I discovered this tool from Stoddard.
https://www.stoddard.com/stoddard-dash- ... .html.html
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Dick Weiss
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#10 Post by Dick Weiss »

The teeth of the ignition key (when off) should be upward around the approximant 1030/1100 o'clock position.

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Jules Dielen
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#11 Post by Jules Dielen »

When off, i believe the key should be straight up, 12 o clock.
Jules

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#12 Post by Mike Wilson »

That's how mine is oriented.

Mike
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Jon Schmid
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#13 Post by Jon Schmid »

Dick Weiss wrote: Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:32 pm The teeth of the ignition key (when off) should be upward around the approximant 1030/1100 o'clock position.
This is how the key teeth were oriented on both my coupe and my son's Roadster.

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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#14 Post by Dave Erickson »

Anyone have some factory photos that show the key slot angle?

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Orientation of the key in the ignition

#15 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Dick Weiss is correct.

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