2CarPros - Car Questions & Answers

1981 Ford Futura Repair Question


Topics covered: Floor, Brake pedal, Brakes.
Mileage: 200,000 miles.

Asked on August 16, 2011

Lost ignition key

I lost my ignition key to a 1981 ford fairmont.I took the steering wheel off to remove the cylinder only to discover that I need the key to turn it into the "run" position in order to depress the pin to remove it(!?!?!). What are my options.
Avatar Asked by jkinard

Answer

Replied on August 16, 2011

we drill them out. it is time consuming but does not do any more damage to the column.

Roy

Tiny Answered by ASEMaster6371 (expert)
24,854 answers provided
Replied on August 16, 2011

Just to add to this one another option could be see if the dealer can cut you a new key from your vin number.With a car that old i dont know if they can but its worth a try.

Tiny Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,200 answers provided
Replied on August 16, 2011

would I be able to do it and if so how? Also, while i'm here, two more questions. What are the signs of the master cylinder gone bad? And, after awhile, this car slowly loses idle speed. I adjusted the the idle screw on the carb and that would work for awhile(30 min or so)but it kept idling down. any suggestions about these issues also?

Tiny Response from jkinard
9 questions asked

Replied on August 16, 2011

a locksmith has a gun to do this.

Tiny Answered by cadieman (expert)
2,867 answers provided
Replied on August 16, 2011

i use a good drill set to drill it out. very time concsuming but it works.
the master could be failing internally from bad seals. it will float to the floor under light application and pump back up with hard activation. make sure you dont have an external leak.
it sounds like the float level is high and flooding out or it has a vacuum leak. either way, the carb will have to be overhauled with a gasket kit and float.

Roy

Tiny Answered by ASEMaster6371 (expert)
24,854 answers provided
Replied on August 16, 2011

the fluid in the master cylinder keeps getting low after I level it off but I dont see an external leak anywhere. It has to be going somewhere. It does go all the way to the floor before it stops. Even then I have to pump it to actually stops sometimes.

Tiny Response from jkinard
9 questions asked

Replied on August 16, 2011

could be leaking into the car above the brake pedal or into the booster if you have power brakes. i would not drive it like this till you get it repaired. otherwise it is leaking and you need to find it. a shop can help determine the leak for you.

Roy

Tiny Answered by ASEMaster6371 (expert)
24,854 answers provided