Igintion lock

[Flat6pac]

I have the break off bolts out, finally got the lock nut loose but getting the ball allen into the unlocked bolt that goes into the recess on the lock mechanism I havent been able to do, so it looks like I wasted an afternoon winding up with nothing accomplished. What size allen is it, 4, 4.5, or 5?
This is an 80 SC and I m changing the ignition block on the ignition and there is no clearance to get to the top screw without getting the ignition unit down.
Bruce

[Walter_Middie]

Mine's a 4 mm - don't remove it - just get it loose. They are a bear to replace if you take it all the way out. You can use a ball end Allen wrench to loosen it. It looks like an impossible angle, but a ball end will work - there's just enough room.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

This is an 80 SC and I m changing the ignition block on the ignition and there is no clearance to get to the top screw without getting the ignition unit down.

Can't help with the allen size, sorry. My '77 has a threaded stud with a regular hexhead on that end of the lock.

I got the top screw out on my '77, mostly because I had nothing to get the break off bolts out with, and had to in order to get the car started. Evil job. The top screw took me more than an hour working with your head on the pedals. Not fun.

You do need the right tool for the job (i.e. something that can get in there). I used a mini-ratchet that cleared the back of the ignition block and a screwdriver bit - each fractional turn took minutes to set up - my wrench has a bendy screwdriver that would be a much better tool. It is very tight in there.

To say nothing of needing the right frame of mind. This was possibly the most frustrating and awkward thing I've done on any car ever, and made changing the hood shocks and replacing the original clips laughably easy by comparison.

[Flat6pac]

Thanks for the replys, sounds like 4mm and time on the back, I was told the top screw can be removed and a friend gave me the swivel but still dont see it.....
Thanks \
Bruce

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

I was told the top screw can be removed and a friend gave me the swivel but still dont see it.....
Thanks \
Bruce

This is the only thing I own that will get anywhere near the top screw on the ignition block.



Take the wiring harness off the back, you can line up in about 3-4 minutes by feel and get less than a 1/4 turn on the screw before it slips off (you need to rotate the thumbwheel by hand, almost no room to turn the handle).

Once the screw is started and loose, it's as fast to use just the screwdriver bit between fingertips.

I used an LED MagLite on a headband. There's only one angle/position you can even catch sight of the screw, and the screwdriver bit obscures your line of sight as it approaches. So you line up the bit, put into the slot by feel and get a tiny bit of movement before you drop it or it slips out of the slot.

Breathe deeply, relax, repeat. If I had to do it again, I'd take the driver's seat out first and buy a flexible screwdriver.

You might be better off going after the 4mm allen. On my spare lock, it doesn't screw into the lock body at all, just acts as a grub in a recess to locate it.

It'll be worth it when it's over.... Good luck!