Topic: Ignition Keys and Buildsheets?

[krelboyne]

There are 5 different cut depths, and there are 5 sets of tumblers or wafers.

The combinations is 5 to the fifth power. or 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 = 3125 combinations. They didn't use every combination.

[jwc66k]

The combinations is 5 to the fifth power. or 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 = 3125 combinations. They didn't use every combination.

That seems more reasonable. It was that or - "factorial" 5, or 5 squared (not really)
To use a quote from the past: "Math is hard".
(From a neighbor's sister's Barbie doll.)
Jim

[67gtasanjose]

Considering that there are 5 tumblers per each lock, and let's assume 10 different lengths of tumbler, that's only 50 combinations. Back to the chalk board.
Jim

There are 5 different cut depths, and there are 5 sets of tumblers or wafers.

The combinations is 5 to the fifth power. or 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 = 3125 combinations. They didn't use every combination.

Indeed, there are I believe also only 5-depths of cuts once the code is decoded. Years ago, I had old locksmith books at a salvage yard and could punch out new keys, using a code book and a key cutter tool. It has been a long, long time ago...some things you kinda wish you had held on to...this tool kit being one of those things.
Everything GM & Everything Ford up to the late-70's anyway.

[J_Speegle]

Going to move this thread since it is not really related to buildsheets and is not really year specific

Just a heads up

[sgl66]

Looked through my collection of warranty cars, both temp and official ones sent to owners from Ford,  and there is no key identification coding on them  on any that I have pictures of.  Checked shipping invoices, basically the way that the plant identified the features and options of the new car to the dealership, and I see no key codes listed on the ones I have  Couple hundred or so at this time

Picture from a recent sale on BAT if this is what you're looking for https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-ford-mustang-gt-17/

[midlife]

That looks to me like it was filled out at the dealership.  The question remains: how did the dealership know what key codes went with the vehicle?  Did they simply read the key itself?  Was the key set delivered with the car?  I would think no, as it would become a theft problem.
Questions, questions...

[CharlesTurner]

That looks to me like it was filled out at the dealership.  The question remains: how did the dealership know what key codes went with the vehicle?  Did they simply read the key itself?  Was the key set delivered with the car?  I would think no, as it would become a theft problem.
Questions, questions...

Guess you didn't see my previous reply?  There were rings with the keys that had the number on them.  It usually says right on the ring 'Record and destroy'

[sgl66]

Guess you didn't see my previous reply?  There were rings with the keys that had the number on them.  It usually says right on the ring 'Record and destroy'

From a NOS trunk lock

[10w30dna]

This is how the dealers I worked at handled paperwork for new cars
When the car(s) arrived at the dealer,a person (usually a sales person) was assigned to ?check in? the new cars. This was a very important process to keep records accurate. Each car came with a large brown paper envelope that held copies of window sticker,owner?s manual,as well as any optional equipment tags,which varied by car. Also included were both sets of keys. Small tag provided the key codes ,A #was ignition and B# was trunk. It was the person that checked in each car that was responsible for inspection for damage,or missing items. Those envelopes were then processed to inventory into dealers system. It was then that key codes were noted and recorded on the invoice copies. The duplicate keys stayed in envelope,the main keys got the common key tag with description and stock number and stored on keyboard in secure location.In my pictures you can see the two codes A and B and four digit code. The four digit code could be used to convert to five digit key cuts. Those envelopes were filed in filing cabinets by stock number assigned. If everyone did their job correctly it worked fine.

[70b302cat]

Also, remember that there always had to be one set with the car in order for the carrier to deliver it.

[C6ZZGT]

Still to this day, I just asked our stock in guy. The transport drops off the vehicles and a pile of keys, he has to figure out which keys go to which vehicle. Once that is done and he has checked the loose item checklist the key codes get written down on the shipping paperwork and the clerk enters it into the DMS--dealer management system-- computer. One set stays with the owners manual and one goes on the key board.
 I still need to check the early single sided 5 cut keys and the 5 cut double sided later keys for how the cuts work. After the 5 cut double sided we went to 10 cut double and then 8 cut double. The cuts on those 2 are 5 deep but they never jump more than 2 --- example 5 to 4 or 3 but never to 2 or 1 . the 8 cut version has 1708 codes.
The newer side mill laser cuts are also the same.

I don`t know exactly how many years ago they started doing it but current models have the key code entered into Fords system at the plant as the cars are built so if the transport or dealer loses the keys before the vehicle gets stocked in we can get the code and cut keys.

[RoyceP]

I was looking in my "Confidential" 1968 Lincoln Mercury Pocket Facts book and came across this -

Single cut Ford keys - 1000 combinations.
Double cut Ford keys - 1864 combinations.

[michaelvonlanthen]

my code is just 2 digit "96". Could that be possible for early July 64?

[67gtasanjose]

my code is just 2 digit "96". Could that be possible for early July 64?

I believe (if you had the locksmith codes) you would find the "FE" as a pertinent aspect of the code, if nothing else, the key blank code.

[RoyceP]

Right, the key code is FE96 which would give a Ford dealer everything he needed to make a key for that car. The driver side door lock would have the same number stamped on it.

I believe (if you had the locksmith codes) you would find the "FE" as a pertinent aspect of the code, if nothing else, the key blank code.