my brother the locksmith wants to know if tumbler must be pushed in to turn key-I whould think so or it would be stationary-30 sedan-also are blanks available-filling station does'nt go back that far

You can get blanks here
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1928-1929...=item58899a159a

or at key-men

My key turns pushed in or out. But the lock doesn't catch when pushed in.

The lock does not need to be pushed in. It is an relatively easy lock to pick. A b-1 key blank is what I use. I have many if you can't find one. Are you working on the door lock or ignition? It is common for the ignition lock to have the inner cylinder expand so it does not rotate in the intermediate cylinder. It is very difficult to impossible to save them if that happens.

I will pass this info on to my brother-I've never seen a lock he couldn't pick-I actually found a new key inside the bottom of the rear door when I took it apart-I send it to him and if it doesn't work I'll be in touch about that blank-this is why I enjoy this forum so much-thanks again

no door locks only ignition-brother wants to know what push in does

Don't quite understand what you are saying, but if you are asking about the ignition (electrolock), with the lock cylinder out the ignition is on. When you push in the lock cylinder and turn the key to the left, the ignition is off. The electrolock is also known as a pop-out. In other words, to turn the ignition on, the key is turned to the right and the lock cylinder pops out thus activating the ignition. This is all explained in your owner's manual.

sorry I was so vague-I am talking about the electrolock-I'm not sure I even have correct key(found under back seat when I got the car and it says electrolock on it)-as is switch is popped out and key doesn't turn-I found different key behind rear door panel which I'll send to my brother and see if it works-he is trying to pick lock and wondered if switch needs to be pushed in to turn-it does push in with no key-all I have is shop manual and can't find anything but theory

What JunkYardDog is saying is when the ignition is off the "pop out" cyl is pushed in. You put the key in the electrolock & turn to the right. As you are turning the cyl will pop out. At that point the car will start using the foot starter. You turn off the car by pushing the cyl & key "in". Then you can remove the key.....Joe

The electrolock key will say "electrolock" on the head of the key. The electrolock has a very simple lock cylinder and an experienced registered locksmith can pick that lock in just a few minutes.

Also, when asking questions on this site please be very specific or we will have a hard time trying to figure out what you are asking....as in this case.

If an electrolock is functioning properly the key is retained in the cylinder when it it "popped out" and the ignition on. It is not necessary to have the key in the cylinder to push it in but you will need to turn the inside cylinder counterclockwise to get it to stay. I would not advise pushing it in but rather have your brother remove the center two cylinders by depressing the button on the top (must remove the attaching ring and washer) and pulling it out carefully. Once out the two cylinders can be separated and then the wafers accessed to set them to fit the key(s) you have. The cylinders can also be lubricated and serviced. If there is any tightness it can be dealt with when apart.

If your brother is not comfortable with the lock there are a few of us that have worked on many of these locks. Right dog face?

Right Dippy Chippy! However, in some cases when working with these locks one tends to become an alcoholic!

Think the person might have been an alcoholic before working on the electrolocks or at least have the potential. Now if you meant it might require a drink or two after messing with one then I can agree with that. The electrolock gremlins are an active bunch.

My locksmith worked on too many electrolocks in his day. It got to the point that he tripled his prices, he then became an alcoholic and then he went out of business.

Guess I am my own locksmith. Haven't hit the bottle yet. Have learned most from books and talking to other locksmiths. There are pitifully few that understand these old style locks. Finally got to working on the locks after some professional locksmiths destroyed several electrolock cylinders. They were gracious enough to not charge me. Glad I didn't kill any of them as I might have had many hours available to pick those locks. Well maybe not, don't think they allow locksmith tools in there.

I apologize it's part of my disability-I'll work harder at it

thank you Chipper-this is exactly what my brother wanted to know and he hasn't had a drink in 35yrs-he's very accomplished and just didn't want to ruin something that seems to be unavailable so I offered to get knoweledge from those willing to share-thanks again