Ignition Lock Removal

[MuscleCrazy]

i have no keys to my 1971 gs, and ive been hot wiring it to start it. in fact i built a full pushbutton start setup for it. however my column is locked, and i am told if u remove the cylinder it will unlock. Is this true, and how do u do it with out keys. somebody please help, im going crazy.

[71stage1conv]

I'm going to remove the cylinder in my 71 tilt column and replace it with the original key cylinder in my standard column, but I'm not sure when. I plan on reading the 71 chassis service manual, as it has instructions on how. It is cold in the garage, and I have other things I plan on doing first (since it works as is). Definitely disconnect the neg battery term, because there are a lot of bare connections inside...

[MuscleCrazy]

thanks, i think i forgot to do that.

[TimR]

You need to remove the steering wheel, then the lock plate and spring, three screws will remove the turn signal system, and then you can reach the spring on the key cylinder...it basically just sits in there with a spring that slides into a slot...once you have access you depress spring and it will slide right out.

There is a pin connected to the key cylinder, that pin engages the lock plate so you could just remove that if all you want to do is unlock the steering wheel but might as well do it right once you have it that far apart.

Maybe search the web, all the a-body columns are the same, somebody might have a pic by pic article.

[MuscleCrazy]

thanks for the help!