Question about alfa romeo spider bitting

[Nitrous]

Hi folks,

It's been a while since I've been on the forum.
I hope someone can help me out on this question.

I have a 1987 Spider Veloce and am replacing the keys.
The ignition key is different than the door locks.

I have the original (somewhat worn) keys but would like to cut/have cut new ones.
The door blank is an SF9 (Don't have the ignition key handy)

I was wonder if anyone has the depth/spacing on these keys (alfa romeo 1987)?
I have 4281 on the door key -
The ignition key has nothing but the brand on it.

I believe these are wafer locks.

Thanks
Doug

[GWiens2001]

Try looking here. I see some Alfa Romeo data on page 2.

Hope it helps!

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

[EDIT: moving this from Ask Beginner Hobby Lockpicking Questions to Locksmith Business Info - Keyways and Key Blanks]

[RedE]

Per the Ilco Classic Auto Key Blank Reference and my depth & spacing book, your vehicle keys likely have five cuts per side with three possible depths per cut. This pertains to Alfa lock series 4100-4309. Knowing this, I'd wager that 4281 is infact a key code...

Hope it helps!

[Nitrous]

that does help, immensely. especially the Ilco Classic Car guide detail!

One thing that surprised me a little is that someone on the Alfa Bulletin Board mentioned that the keys were "stainless steel" and the pins were "steel" (his thoughts on why the keys 'never' wear out and the pins (being a softer steel) take all the wear.

I thought that nickel silver was quite common with European key blanks, but I was surprised that the top and bottom pins would be made of steel. I suspect the wafer kit that I'm getting from CLK is brass, not steel (for the doors - the ignition is pin tumbler based but again, I'd be surprised if they are steel.

Do you happen to know the pin dimensions? ie .003/.005 Is there anywhere to get a metric pin set?

So many questions - thanks for all your help.

Doug

[RedE]

Frankly I really don't know if the locks and keys are steel. I'm skeptical that they are however, due to the fact that rust would probably render the lock inoperable after some time. But at the end of the day, if you're re-keying the locks and the pin/wafer material is the same as the key blank material, then you should have nothing to be overly concerned about.

For pin sizes I don't have any information to offer other than they should be in 0.024" increments. Maybe a search online could reveal more? If you can't find anything, think about the following... You can probably proceed with a .003 kit and a cut key to match pins with, assuming you can confirm that the pins are 0.115" in diameter. And if they are some other diameter? Then consider being creative with a pin kit that uses different diameters like one for meant for padlocks or file cabinets.

Good luck!

[Nitrous]

Thanks REDe!
I appreciate the responses.
Doug