Question about column shifter 1973 Comet

It has been a long time since I drove a 1973 model car. I am picking up this comet that was in storage since 1980, but the car has no keys.

Will the shifter change gears without the keys?

One other question. What other years will a 1973 comet's windshield interchange with, and do the windshields simply have the two-groove seal that holds the windshield in one, and the car frame in the other?

Thanks in advance.

 

You'll need the keys to shift gears. You could always pop the shift linkage off the column, and shift it buy hand.. Any Maverick/Comet windshield will interchange, but you may need a new gasket.

 

When you say pop the shift linkage off the column, you are talking under the hood where the linkage hooks to the steering column?

 

It is an automatic I am assuming. There is an adjuster on the arm going down that just uses a nut to hold it on you can just loosen that up and shift the transmission into neuteral at the selector input shaft.

 

Glad to see a another Comet will be on the rode. I'm in Warrenton that is 60 miles west of you.
As far as your question, you can go to autozone or any parts retailer and purchase another key ignition. Take a cheap dent puller and screw it into the key slot and pop the key assembly out then slide the other in. That will take you about the same amount of time of the linkage unhooking.
Good Luck

 

Thanks Chandler. I have seen that in the movies, just never done it personally. I am little scared to try it. Maybe I should go to the boneyard to practice??

 

Or, take the steering wheel off, and remove lock cylinder, and replace it with one you have keys for.

 

The good thing is, the car did not leave skid marks through the grass where they pulled the car out of the barn. So maybe they have already gotten this solved. I need to go and replace all 4 wheels and tires in order to get the car home.
THanks for the input. One way or another I will get the thing rolling.

 

Pull out door lock cyliner and take it to a locksmith and have a key made for the column.

 

Would the Mustang v8 headers fit the comet? And what about the mustang oil pan? I have a deep sump oil pan, and I wonder if it would work?