Tim,
It's best to have the end pins there to discourage people from installing cap screws (Some say bolts). The manifolds grow lengthwise w/ heat and must slide along the gasket toward each end. Buick straight Eights are one I remember well during the early '50s. Actually the screws should be tightest near the center of head and gradually less torque on them as you spread toward each end. French locks are excellent for those looser screws near ends. Many manifolds on V8 Chevs are broken because people don't know this and tighten them all the same. Many orig. Chevs came w/ those locks placed over the thick washer. I keep them in stock for my rebuilds. Very important to mill the manifolds while bolted together to ensure no exhaust leakage at head surface. David
