Key blanks explanation/part numbers

[Frank DuVal]

From 1936 through 1966 GM used the number 15 Groove key blanks.
The blanks were made by Briggs and Stratton.

The Octagonal Head part number is 32318 from B&S, H1098LA from ILCO, and B10 from Curtis and others.

The Pear Head part number is 32319 from B&S, O1098LA from ILCO, and B11 from Curtis and others.

In 1967 GM went to the "A" key for ignition Octagon head. B-40 B&S Groove 50 B&S p/n 320296
In 1967 GM went to the "B" key for glove box Pear head. B-41 B&S Groove 51 B&S p/n 320297
In 1968 GM went to the "C" key for ignition Octagonal Head B-42 B&S Groove 54 B&S p/n 320368
In 1968 GM went to the "D" key for glove box Pear Head B-43 B&S Groove 55 B&S p/n 320369
In 1969 GM went to the "E" key for ignition Rectangle head B-44 B&S Groove 56 B&S p/n 320404
In 1969 GM went to the "H" key for glove box Oval Head B-45 B&S Groove 57 B&S p/n 320405
In 1970 GM went to the "J" key for ignition Rectangle head B-46 B&S Groove 58 B&S p/n 320470
In 1970 GM went to the "K" key for glove box Oval Head B-47 B&S Groove 59 B&S p/n 320471
In 1971 GM went to the "A" key for ignition Rectangle head B-48 B&S Groove 50 B&S p/n 320588
In 1971 GM went to the "B" key for glove box Oval Head B-49 B&S Groove 51 B&S p/n 320589
In 1972 GM went to the "C" key for ignition Rectangle head B-50 B&S Groove 54 B&S p/n 320652
In 1972 GM went to the "D" key for glove box Oval head B-51 B&S Groove 55 B&S p/n 320653



In 1967 and 1968, GM was still using dash mounted ignition switches, so the small octagon and pear head keys were made with the new keyways, A B C and D (Groove 50, 51, 54 & 55)

In 1969, GM went to the locking steering column, and a larger rectangular key was needed to match the ears of the ignition switch, so the large head keys started in 1969. These are the E, H blanks, groove 56, 57. And in 1970 they continued making new grooves, J and K, 58 and 59. So in 1971 B&B started over with the A, B and this meant the A B C & D blanks needed to be remade with the large heads, so the A large head started in 1971 with B-48, etc. Note GM trucks (Chevy & GMC) did not get steering column ignition locks until 1973.

Finding the original small head A B C & D keys is much harder than the large heads, but keep looking at Ebay. The good news is when you fin them they are usually the GM/B&S/Rochester products keys, not Ilco, Curtis, etc. for you purists.

The B&S part numbers show no large head keys in 1967 or 1968 on any GM car line, even Cadillac, which always had different part numbers because the OEM B&S keys had the Cadillac crest on them.

Always interested in more information as it surfaces.

[Frank DuVal]

Great I spent several minutes getting spaces in so the columns lined up. Well the info is there, just not neatly.

[caraholic4life]

Ya just gotta love it when you spend a good amount of time lining things up the way you want it then the computer decides to change things and do it it's way.......Who is in charge here, the computer or it's owner?

For what it is worth Frank, it looks good and is well explained. Even I could follow and comprehend it.

[MtnVairMike]

Very, very helpful. Thanks a lot for your efforts.

Mike