Exhaust French Locks for C2

[Rick S.]

I am going to buy exhaust manifold french locks for my 1967 small block and see that some vendors sell stainless steel and steel locks. The Judging Manual does not address what material is correct for judging. Can anyone guide me in the right direction on what to buy, stainless or steel?
Also, I am looking at exhaust pipe nuts to the manifold and see crimp style and toplock. Are these one and the same?
Thanks,
Rick

[Donald M.]

Re: Exhaust French Locks for C2

Rick, Stainless is definately incorrect.Use steel.
Don

[Joe L.]

Re: Exhaust French Locks for C2

Rick-----

The original exhaust french locks used for ALL Chevrolet engines that used them were plain carbon steel. Very quickly, plain carbon steel becomes RUSTY. Then, it doesn't look like the french locks as originally installed---it looks like rusty french locks.

Stainless steel was not originally used. However, stainless looks a lot more like the originals FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, not just a few days.

Original or not, it's stainless for me.

[Rick S.]

Re: Exhaust French Locks for C2

Joe,
Can you provide any info in regards to the nuts for the exhaust pipe to manifold?
Thanks, Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: Exhaust French Locks for C2

Rick-----

They are a special, locking-type nut of GM #3829086. This nut is still available from GM to this very day. However, I'm not sure that the current nut is exactly like the original nut, even though of the original part number.

However, I don't use these nuts. WAY too much chance that you'll never be able to get them off. I use the long-style, brass nuts. You will be able to get these off. The "downside" is that these nuts will loosen, especially if you use the original-style, soft donut gaskets. I don't use these. I use their sintered iron equivalents. Used in conjunction with the brass nuts and torqued to about 25 lb/ft, they'll stay tight and leak-free for a LONG time. Check them, though, every time you change the oil; it's very easy to do at that time.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Exhaust French Locks for C2

"Used in conjunction with the brass nuts and torqued to about 25 lb/ft, they'll stay tight and leak-free for a LONG time."

Especially when your car sits in the garage for 10 years. Or more.



Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: Exhaust French Locks for C2

Patrick------

Works of art cannot be rushed. Look how long that it took Michaelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Look how long it took to build the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and the great pyramids of Egypt.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Exhaust French Locks for C2

...and look how much work I'll have to do someday to finish it.

Remember the threat:
if it's not done, I'll install N14 and TJ2, no matter what the Will says.

Patrick