DIY GM Ignition Cylinder Repair - 1970-1981 Firebird or Camaro

[@PhilAVega]

Nov 2020. My friend has s 70 Camaro with the same problem. He let the car sit for some yrs now. This helps out a lot. Trying to get him going on it again. Santa Ana CA.

[@MadScientistGarage]

Hope this helped! I'll have a bunch more how to's on the channel soon, hit subscribe and you'll see em!

[@DDSpeedShop]

Haha basically a full restoration. I like your standards

[@MadScientistGarage]

I just like to say it every time I replace one part and the car works again. It's right up there with "cross threads are the strongest threads" in my catch phrases.

[@BadHombreGarage]

Just found your channel- nice work! I subscribed- let’s build this community!

[@HarvestMoon.]

So tried to do this repair on my 70 Camaro. However when I try to put the new ignition switch in it it wont go far back enough to actually turn and engage anything. Any tips? The ignition cylinder I got from the part store is the same one I’ve seen multiple people use.

[@MadScientistGarage]

Check and make sure the spring loaded tang that holds it in isn't bent or jammed. Make sure it's in park as well, the key switch should work smoothly and not grab the keys when you try to remove them. If you have to, repeat the removal and clean everything. These old columns get jammed with dust and a little lubricant and cleaning goes a long way.

[@HarvestMoon.]

@@MadScientistGarage gotcha thanks however my 70 Camaro has a 4 speed Muncie so park wouldn’t work lol but I will try what you said!

[@MadScientistGarage]

@@HarvestMoon. I don't believe these cars have any mechanical neutral safety, but I'd just stick to basics and remove the cylinder. You can turn the actual switch behind your lock cylinder with a screw driver once removed- the issue might not be your ignition lock part at all. That switch behind it could be gummed up.

[@justinmammana3362]

Just picked up a 1970 that’s been sitting for a long time, came with a new tumbler and key but the problem is the old tumbler just comes completely out, what should I do?

[@MadScientistGarage]

Verify all the pieces of the old one came out by comparing it with the new one. If the column is so worn it won't retain the new tumbler, I'd say you should just replace the column with a better one or upgrade to an Ididit unit with tilt. They can be fixed, but usually if the ignition is super messed up, the turn signal cam and wiring are shot too.

[@SpyderGarage]

Had to laugh at the snap ring troubles. We went through the same thing.

[@MadScientistGarage]

I have the right tool, but the right tool is really the wrong tool (2 screwdrivers!). I edited probably 10 minutes down to those 4 fails. There were lots.

[@CrawdaddyCustoms]

WhooHoo!! Security! Lol

[@MadScientistGarage]

Not that anyone would be too tempted to steal this pile. It's always parked next to cars with shiney paint and no leaks hahaha

[@waterboysrc]

You didn’t show where to insert the screwdriver

[@tonygarcia7069]

Show where you put the screwdriver!

[@MadScientistGarage]

I poked it into the spring loaded retainer on the end of the tumbler. Watch again and you'll see I pointed it out on my new tumbler. It was pretty hard to light and see on camera, so refer to your new part and carefully compress that clip inside the column. It'll fall out of the column whether you have keys or not

[@rickmazzo9162]

Didn't c what u pushed in to release the ignition ?

[@MadScientistGarage]

🤘

[@mfultz403]

Will this work if you dont have keys

[@MadScientistGarage]

Great question! I suggest trying another set of square GM keys to work the pins if it's not letting go. Generally they're pretty easy to remove when the column is this far apart, with or without the original key. This is not a how to on stealing anything- this is proper repair and replacement. Pro tip- many suppliers sell a rekey kit with the doors, trunk, and ignition all cut the same. If you're restoring or going to drive it a lot, that's a nice feature.

[@mfultz403]

It worked this video made the ingnition swap a breeze

[@MadScientistGarage]

I'm really glad the video helped! Subscribe and I promise you'll see lots more how to's, plus some messing around in the hot rods I fix. Tell your friends!

[@rickmazzo9162]

What did u press to release the ignition ?

[@MadScientistGarage]

There's a small metal "tooth" on the end of the tumbler you press in with a flat screwdriver. Take a look at your new part- you'll see and feel that little spring loaded guy on the inside end.

[@comradetman3784]

Damn hope that doesn’t happen to my trans am , tho I am going to be replacing its steering wheel it has in it already , someone put a base Firebird wheel in it when she would’ve had a formula steering wheel .

[@MadScientistGarage]

It's a cheap and easy fix anyone can do!

[@comradetman3784]

Mad Scientist Garage true , in already taking the dash out tho to fix / disconnect the clock in the tachometer , makes a screeching noise when the cars ignition is on on or running from the clock . Gotta love the little odd things ! Lol

[@MadScientistGarage]

@@comradetman3784 labor of love working on these old cars. If you need something for it, try Second Gen Graveyard on Facebook. The guy parts out tons of these cars.

[@comradetman3784]

Mad Scientist Garage that may be a little sad to see to be honest there is a 1980 Firebird formula In a local junkyard I plan on trying to play a flat fee for to take just about 4 or 5 things off of it . Was driven there in 03 and the rims where bought so it’s sat on the ground after that . But the hood is one main thing I’m looking at because to be honest I don’t wanna spend 360$ on a hood decal when I re paint it at least not yet . I’ll defiantly check them out tho . I still need to make a video on my car for my channel wanted to yesterday when it was clear but was tired and tbh a little hung over from Saturday night so was like yeahhh maybe another nice day . Lol

[@ChopsMahone]

🤘