67 Small Block Exhaust Manifold French Locks

[Bill L.]

Hi:

Some time back I was having my white 67 small block coupe (300HP) judged and I got dinged for the french locks.... apparently, they are supposed to have a "B" stamped on them. At the time mine did not....

I remedied the situation and the subsequent judging process resulted in no issues....

I checked the new 67 manual and the French locks are mentioned but not the "B" stamping....

See the photo....

Any verified experience with this from a judging perspective would be appreciated ....

Thanks!!

Bill

[Gary B.]

Re: 67 Small Block Exhaust Manifold French Locks

Bill,

Have you seen this posting? https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...+locks+exhaust

Regarding the squared vs rounded tab shape in that old posting, I believe it depends on BB vs SB during the C2 era.

Gary

[Bill L.]

Re: 67 Small Block Exhaust Manifold French Locks

Thanks Gary...no I did not see that post.....but just read it....interesting for sure...

I did not see anything mentioning the square vs. round tabs on the French locks...nothing for big vs small block in the 67 manual (unless I missed it)....

It does however, bring up the issue of "vendor stamps" on a particular part....

I know that for some time (and maybe they still do) Paragon stamped a "P" on various parts ("usually" out of sight ---but NOT always) so that people could not return an inferior competitors part for a credit.... Different subject alll together..... I know of two parts in particular that have "P" stamps on them and Paragon has admitted that one of those stamps stamps is in fact theirs. I suspect that the second one is as well .....but that is not verified.

Where I am going here is that there is no call out of the stamps on the French locks....tab configuration nor letter stamp.....maybe we can get this sorted out!!! Sure hope so!!

I have a second in-bound 67 coupe due here in June and I want to get the detail right.....

As always.... Thanks & Best Regards

Bill

[Gary B.]

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Small Block Exhaust Manifold French Locks

Thanks Gary...no I did not see that post.....but just read it....interesting for sure...

I did not see anything mentioning the square vs. round tabs on the French locks...nothing for big vs small block in the 67 manual (unless I missed it)....

It does however, bring up the issue of "vendor stamps" on a particular part....

I know that for some time (and maybe they still do) Paragon stamped a "P" on various parts ("usually" out of sight ---but NOT always) so that people could not return an inferior competitors part for a credit.... Different subject alll together..... I know of two parts in particular that have "P" stamps on them and Paragon has admitted that one of those stamps stamps is in fact theirs. I suspect that the second one is as well .....but that is not verified.

Where I am going here is that there is no call out of the stamps on the French locks....tab configuration nor letter stamp.....maybe we can get this sorted out!!! Sure hope so!!

I have a second in-bound 67 coupe due here in June and I want to get the detail right.....

As always.... Thanks & Best Regards

Bill

Bill------


There were several part numbers for the small block exhaust manifold french locks over the years. GM #3733122 was used from 1956 to ABOUT 1963and discontinued from SERVICE in January, 1965. GM #3841091 was used from ABOUT 1963 to ABOUT early 1966 and discontinued from SERVICE in October, 1966. I know nothing regarding nuances of configuration of these 2 part numbers. Sometime in the 1966 model year the part number became GM #3880844 and this continued through 1981. The latter is configured like the one shown in your first picture and with the "square" locking tabs. These often have a "B" stamping but I don't know that all did. I'm quite certain that the "B" is a manufacturer's ID mark and considering the fact that Chevrolet was using these things by the millions, there may very well have been more than one manufacturer.

By the way, the GM #3880844 was discontinued from SERVICE in July, 1987 and replaced by GM #14081241. The latter have ROUND locking tabs and 3 small "tits" along their length. Sometime later these were discontinued and replaced by GM #12338135. These are identical to the 14081241.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: 67 Small Block Exhaust Manifold French Locks

Agree with Joe. I have 30 or 40 originals and cant find a stamp on any of them.

[Brian M.]

Re: 67 Small Block Exhaust Manifold French Locks

Was there a deduction taken?

[Gary B.]

Re: 67 Small Block Exhaust Manifold French Locks

Was there a deduction taken?

Brian,

The relevant line item in the Mechanical judging sheets includes “Bolts, studs, nuts, flanges, locks, washers, & heat riser”. With a total of 5 originality points. With a configuration (or completeness?) issue for the B stamping with the French locks, it’s hard to imagine that would be worth more than 20% of 1 pt. If a deduct was taken for a missing B stamping, I would ask the judges to explain their math.

Gary

[Bill L.]

Re: 67 Small Block Exhaust Manifold French Locks

Thanks Joe ... my sense is to stay with the stamp....

Regards
Bill