Can someone tell how to change my door locks so that when I depress the lock button I can shut and lock the door without holding in the outside button, like 71 and later?

They are designed that way to prevent you from inadvertently locking the door with the keys inside.

Get the latch mechanism (the part in the door) from a '71 or '72. I changed over my '69 Elky since the drivers side latch was already broken and tended let the door open at the most inconveneint times. I also preferred to not hold in the button like what you are looking to do. It was a direct bolt in on my car.

Thanks SS. I thought that was going to be the answer, but I had hoped that there was a way to change or reposition something inside the door mechanism (someone told me that years ago). I have had 71s and 72s, this is my first 70.

Not knowing much about locks and lock cylinders, would it be possible to put the old cylinder in the new mechanism, or to make it so you can still use the same key as the ignition?

I have the same prob with my 70 Impala, I'd much rather lock my keys inside than go in the mall thinkin my car was locked then come out and find my stuff stolen.

Everytime I go to ask a question, I search it first and find it already asked. This forum rules!

Thanks Guys and Gals

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70 Impala Sport Coupe (283) - Green Goddamn!
63 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 (394) - Hoopty
61 Chevy Stepside Pickup (350) - The Pickle
49 Plymouth Special Deluxe (427) - The Mayflower
77 Chevy Blazer (350)- The Moo Machine
98 Dodge Neon (150) - Crap
http://www.geocities.com/ledsled_26m

Ledsled,
the cylinder isn't part of the lock mechanism, it just sits in the door skin held in by a U shaped clip.
There is a lever attached to the back of the cylinder called a pawl, it pushes against another lever on the lock mechanism that locks and unlocks the door.
So yes you can re use your existing cylinder.

Jeff Litka
72 Chevelle SS
72 MonteCarlo