Don't judge me, but I lost the keys to my 1973 240z.

[joeecenpi]

As stated in the title, I went to school for the year, and when I came back for the summer, I couldn't find the keys or the spares.

Worst case scenario, they're lost forever.

The car is in a garage and the car doors are unlocked. So I'm sure that makes it a bit easier.

What are my options?

[Reverend]

Look for the keys Your only option is to change the ignition switch cylinder. Those should be easily available, i ordered a spare one for 20 bucks (from China) but i think you guys have much bigger selection there than we here. Rockauto has them for like 15 bucks.

[hr369]

Look for the keys Your only option is to change the ignition switch cylinder. Those should be easily available, i ordered a spare one for 20 bucks (from China) but i think you guys have much bigger selection there than we here. Rockauto has them for like 15 bucks.

if there is a key code on the inside of the glove box you can take that code to an old fashioned locksmith and have him

make keys from the code. i've also had locksmiths make keys that fit your lock buy putting in a key blank

and turning the key so that the tumblers make slight impressions on the blank key. they then file those areas down

and keep at it until the key opens the lock. one guy took about 10 minutes and he had a good key. this technique is called key impressioning

http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/impress.html

[malibud]

I am a newbie for sure and have 75' 280z bought it with no keys. Heres what I did first I got the key codes from the glove box. (iwas luck they were there) went to the locksmith got them made. they fit the doors not the ignition. I then took the ignition out (screws on the back of it seperate the lock and tumbler) it has 4 screws holding the key tumbler on one is a saftey screw with no head. I took a dremel tool and cut a slit into that one . it came out with a slotted screw driver . took the locking part out to a lock smith they made a new key . It maybe easier for you to do the above ... not sure .

PS you can drive it after the tumbler is out just use a screw driver to turn the tumbler ..

[zKars]

The chances of the key code tag still being on the glove box door is slim. The code is also stamped into the passenger door lock cylinder if its still the original. Bit tougher to get to. Only very few Nissan dealers around here has the machine to use that code to make keys though.

[Carl Beck]

On my 73 the Key that fit the Door - also fit the ignition. I took the door lock to a local Locksmith and he made me new keys. I'd sure try that first.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[azuka]

I bought a 79 280ZX with only ONE key that was badly worn. When I had them use that to make copies, the copies were nearly useless.

I ended up eventually discovering that Datsun put a little whit label inside the glove box, on the inside of the door that will have the handwritten code in it. The code in my 79 was used to produce a 'new' key. Works great!

My 77 had a frozen ignition switch cylinder, so just bought a new one which came with it's own key of course. Now I have one key for ignition and another key for the doors. The replacement cylinder costs about $25. But removing the old one is a little tricky because 2 of the 4 screws holding it together are designed to be 'funky.' The big problem is to find a way to remove the funky screws from the old cylinder.

If there is any way to get a locksmith to make a working key, that would be the way to go. If the code is impossible to read on the sticker, dissassemble your passenger door so that you can look at the lock parts on the inside of the door. These parts should have the key code embossed in it.

Best of luck.

[joeecenpi]

Thanks guys for all your answers! I really appreciate it.

[Darrel]

Impressioning isn't for the amateur, especially with locks that have wafers like the datsuns. There is a bigger chance you will damage the lock before making a key.

For a locksmith the code is the best thing. If the same key fit all the locks then that is your best bet, pull the passenger door cyl. You could go one step further and pull all the cylinders and get all the cylinders rekeyed to the same code or another just so that all wafers and springs are new so a random key won't work like thney all seem to do after 30 yrs.

[ZCurves]

I am not judging you.....BUT Godzilla is!:classic:

The real worst case scenario is that you have to order a complete lock and ignition switch set from MSA and do a re install on the doors/dash. If your lock set was getting wonky it might not be a bad idea.