Exhaust Manifold French Locks
03-05-2003, 11:50 PM
#1
Racer
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Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: nashville TN
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Exhaust Manifold French Locks
Hi folks. I see in my AIM, engine book, and most vendor's catalogs that there are French Locks for the exhaust manifold bolts. I looked at my car's manifolds tonight and I couldn't see these French Locks. Can they be seen when installed on the car?
Thanks, Rick in Tennessee
Thanks, Rick in Tennessee
03-06-2003, 12:13 AM
#2
Melting Slicks
Re: Exhaust Manifold French Locks
Rick,
I expect your 1971 small block would have had these french locks installed from the factory on the front and rear exhaust manifold ports (the center did not receive one), but it is quite possible that they were removed at some point if the manifolds were removed or simply rusted away (they aren't that durable). The tabs at the ends of each french lock are usually easy to see... If they're there, you should be able to see them protruding by the outermost manifold bolts.
The original french locks were stamped steel with rounded locking tabs; most reproductions available are stainless steel with with squared locking tabs. If NCRS or Bloomington Gold judging is in your future, the tabs can be rounded off like the originals, but the material is difficult to hide from the judges. If you just wish to install them for functional reasons, then the current reproductions will serve the purpose just fine.
Regards,
I expect your 1971 small block would have had these french locks installed from the factory on the front and rear exhaust manifold ports (the center did not receive one), but it is quite possible that they were removed at some point if the manifolds were removed or simply rusted away (they aren't that durable). The tabs at the ends of each french lock are usually easy to see... If they're there, you should be able to see them protruding by the outermost manifold bolts.
The original french locks were stamped steel with rounded locking tabs; most reproductions available are stainless steel with with squared locking tabs. If NCRS or Bloomington Gold judging is in your future, the tabs can be rounded off like the originals, but the material is difficult to hide from the judges. If you just wish to install them for functional reasons, then the current reproductions will serve the purpose just fine.
Regards,
