THEY'RE IN!! Doors and windows mostly back together, w/new vent window rubber and window channels (the project earlier this week that inspired this project). Looking nice.

The brass pin was stuck hard, but used a series of small nails (they kept getting bent) and lots of grease as well to finally tap it out.

Found out the trick to the other lock was turning the lock and its oval casing "upside down." The best way to understand this without getting into too much detail is that in each exterior key entry there's a small depression for the tip of the key to catch the keyhole--usually it's underneath the entry slot, but the only way to make the new cylinder work on the passenger side was to put it on top. I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't a "left" and "right" lockset, and am thinking the guy who sold me the new locks sold me two driver's side cylinders.

Whatever...it works.

I now understand in detail how a key and lock work. :) (of this kind, at least)


Also, when taking out the old cylinders, found the telltale history of the missing door keys, and forgot that we had broken a key in each door many years ago. I actually remember now when I broke one of them. Is this a common problem, and if so, is there any good way to prevent this?

Locks were a little sticky when I put them in, but that was solved by juicing them up a little w/ some grease and WD40, and now the locks and push buttons slide open and shut so nicely. Hooray!

Thanks so much for the input and offer of help. The gratification in finally getting a project like this done is worth all the effort. For the umpteenth time, I'm so glad to have this car and so grateful for this site.

thanks again,

Holly