I got two ignition keys with my 1923 touring/pickup, they are identical and work fine, but neither of them has a number stamped into them, should they have a number? How can I tell what key number they are, and do I even need to know?
The number is on the face of the lock of the ignition.
You should not need to know the number unless you loose both keys, or buy another T, either of which could happen!
Is it visible from the front? Do you have a picture showing where the number is? I just looked at the front of my ignition switch and don't see a number, maybe I have a later reproduction switch or something.
It will be on the pot metal where the key goes in.
Of course, if you get a dealer's set, you'll never have to worry about another key again.
The number is not very large and may have paint over it. Like Jack said it's stamped on the top of the switch where the key inserts. A light rubbing with steel wool or very fine sand paper may reveal the number.
Sometimes the numbers are hard to make out.
Mark
This is little off topic, but I took my #62 to a local locksmith here in town. He found a blank to make an spare key for me that I could use in an emergency. It was a couple bucks and it ain't OE but it works.
Thanks all for the replys and the picture. The number on my ignition switch is completely obscured by a nice shiny, smooth coat of paint. I think I'll leave it that way and not worry about it since I have two keys and they both work fine.
A repro master key set is available:
http://www.modeltford.com/item/5013-MSTR.aspx
Just like all the different # keys from the vendors - but you have to compare your keys to original keys until you can verify what # you have.. There's a chance your unmarked keys has the same shape as #55, since that's the most often used key for repro latches:
http://www.modeltford.com/item/5013B55.aspx
Based on the picture in the second link, it does look like my keys are #55. Thanks!
Beware! Lang's uses the same generic picture for all keys..
Steve Jelf has posted a great pic of a #55 key in this thread: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/80257/95273.html?1245151161
Looking at the thread that Roger provided, my keys actually look closer to #54 than #55 based on the location of the slot, thanks again! I guess the reason that the master key set can get away with only having four patterns is that the masters are thin and have no slots.
FYI about ignition keys.
Ford used four different shapes for the cuts on the ignition key. They also have six different locations for the slot running the length of the key. It is the shape of the key plus the location of the slot which determines which specific key it is. So simply comparing the shape of the key will not help. You also have to know the location of the slot. Keys #51 - #56 all have the same shape.
The master keys are made much thinner than the standard key so that they avoid the projection which would go into the slot. There are four different shapes. Each shape handles the six keys of that shape regardless of where the slot is. That is why each key has 6 numbers stamped on it.
The drawback to the master key set is that because the key is much thinner it also bends much easier. You have to be careful when using them. They were made to be used by the dealers for starting cars they didn't have the key for. They are not really intended to be used a replacement key.
Dave S.