MTFCA Forum

I am just wondering what number key i have in case i want to get an extra or another key.

Look closely at the front of the lock that the key fits, it should have a number stamped into it that matches the number of your key.

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/4 ... 1405770514

Sorry for the quality of the photograph, but with an increase magnification a number can be seen to the left of the key slot.

Langs list some ford keys with numbers - https://www.modeltford.com/model-t-part ... ches/keys/

The Key Austin has is for a modern repro switch, the design of which fits a #55, but they do not interchange, as the groove centering does not match.

CudaMan wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:58 pm

Look closely at the front of the lock that the key fits, it should have a number stamped into it that matches the number of your key.

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/4 ... 1405770514

Will do, thank you!

No number + brass key = repro #55 https://www.macsautoparts.com/catalogse ... nition+key --
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Jim Goldens comment is also correct in how they fit original tumblers. They fit the repro tumblers. Easy identification to is the shape of the top & no number. These may fit CLUM brand, rectangular plate, switches that were made for a Model T though. Haven't tried, no parts
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Jim is correct. That key is for the modern reproduction tumbler.

Lang’s and Snyder’s both have duplicates for that key.

Make sure when you order to tell them you want a duplicate key for the reproduction switch. The duplicates they have don’t have a number stamped on them.

Then too, the number Austin is looking for on the key cylinder is not there either.

If you look closely at the photo Frank posted above of the three keys you will see the key shaft bittings are the same, however the keyway (groove) locations are different. Model T Ford keys only have a keyway on one side and NOT all are centered on the shaft. While some are centered, some are offset to the right and some to the left. These differences are designed to help create the 24 variations in the Model T Ford ignition keys 51 - 74. The Model T Ford Master Key sets are composed of only 4 keys. They are so thin no keyway interaction is required to operate the switch.

Here are a thousand words!!

Don....
File refuses to download, says it's corrupt.

The file opened for me as a word document.

The file went to my "downloads" directory and I was able to open it as a Word document from there.

Thanks for the tips, file opened just fine

Here is the image in the file above with some explanation.

The lock cylinder has 4 slots for the wafers that ride up or down. When the key is inserted they're all aligned top & bottom so the key can be turned .
Just one wafer size is needed to create 6 usable combinations by orientating the wafers in different permutations in the 4 slots
Other combination are achieved by just flipping the key pattern over and grooving the keyway on that side.
Look closely (51, 52, 53) and you can see that the keyways for the same cut key are shifted: center, to the left & to the right. Then flipped over for 54, 55, 56 with similar keyways. Since the Master keys have no keyways they kit 51-53 & when flipped over 54-56 etc
4 wafer patterns x 2 wafer orientations x 3 keyway positions = 24 possible combinations & permutations

Frank,

Thanks for posting the photo. I am analog in this digital world. Your added text and photos really cleared up any confusion on the subject.

U da man,

Don