SS French Locks (exhaust keepers) for Nailheads, any interest?

I'll have to look at my engine to see what Tom T put on it. I vaguely remember him mentioning French locks, but my memory has failed me on this issue at the moment. I'll be back in the frozen tundra in MA in late March. Maybe I'll be interested in a set then. Stainless would look great.

 

Why wait until March??? The suspense will build anxiety which could be detrimental to your health & well being. Now I'm a doctor. LOL Yes John I installed the stainless locks on your engine.

 

I'd like a set also for my '65 GS.

 

:laugh:

 

TelRiv brought up a good point.

The exhaust manifolds on my '66 and '65 401 engines have thicker cross sections around two of the rearward exhaust ports. This makes the surfaces where the french locks would attache farther apart than the standard french locks, about 1/2".

So we took the standard size french lock which was around 2.5" between the holes, and lengthened it to about 3". I had a set cut and tried them on my '66 401 where they fit great!

So a set of 8 pcs is 6 standard size FLs and 2 of the longer ones. Here is a picture of the set I tried on my motor. Notice how two look longer than the other 6.



This picture is a "Set of 8" and exactly what I am having made! I have since learned that the print you see there should be within 0.002" of the original Buick FL example used as a template. Of course the original was mild steel and had 50+ years of rust on it so we best guesses onsome of hte dimensions. I will make a fresh post with pics and ordering info (on this website only) when the parts arrive. After a week or so, unless they all sell, I will then offer them on Ebay for $30/set. Does that sound fair to everyone?

 

Posted an update on 65gs.com for you. :TU:

 

Put me in for 2 sets if you can.

Loren

 

Sounds like a winner to me. Thanks!

 

Put me down for a set also, please.

 

Put me down for two sets. Thanks for doing this.

Dan

 

Just my 2 cents (actually my boss' 2 cents) Quote from Dave Visner: "Race engines don't use lock washers." He went on the explain it the same as UntamedKitty did earlier in this thread. He will not use them on any engine. I used to use them on my engines. Now, I'll not. Loctite, where needed, and flat washers only.

 

Any pictures with them on a motor.

 

The tabs are supposed to be turned down to stop the bolts from turning. And there shouldn't be any gaskets on the exhaust manifold either.

 

Looks like plenty of interest. Progress?

 

SS French Locks (exhaust keepers) for Nailheads, parts are ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello all,
I just got a message that the parts are done and will be delivered this coming work week.
The quantity was increased due to over 66% of the original order being spoken for prior to the parts manufacture.
So there are a few sets left, as of today.

Anyhow, I do not know this website's rules for this type of thing, can anyone advise me on how to connect the buyers with the parts?
My thinking was that anyone who has spoken for a set or two needs to send me a PM about it and I will deal with them through direct email.
Open to advice here!

 

I believe you may have some orders from members on 65gs.com who don't visit here much, if at all. I would volunteer to help contact those members, except my being on the road during the week makes that task difficult at best. Perhaps another member could perform that task... hint, hint. :grin:

Thanks for taking on this job! :TU:

 

pm sent

 

pm sent

Thanks, Loren

 

PM sent, thanks...Jonesy

 

PM sent.

Chuck