Mornin' ya dirty grease monkeys!

Quick question..... I replaced header gaskets yesterday (doubled them up due to cruddy Flowtech headers) and I thought I was still hearing an exhaust leak. I had a engine builder buddy stop by to give it a listen and he thinks it's lifter/rocker/valve train ticking.

Im sure the previous owner knows next to nothing about zinc in the oil for flat tappets..... would a worn cam be the culprit? And would I have to do cam, lifters, rods, and rockers to solve it? It's only happening on the drivers side.

'73 F250, 4bbl Summit 600cfm, performer intake, 2wd, cruddy flowtechs to flowmaster 40's. Stock everything else with about 140k miles. Intake and carb are only a week old.

 

If it started after you replaced the exhaust headers then it should be leaking exhaust. A stethoscope will be the only sure way to pin point it. Speaking of grease monkey, an old mechanic I knew use to check for exhaust leaks by removing the fan and blowing cigarette smoke around the exhaust to find the leak.

 

I replaced the gaskets due to them leaking. Definitely a leak that got louder with throttle. I actually have a pic on my phone that I'll post. On first start up with a cold motor, I would put my hands around the headers to feel for leaks. I really doubt it is leaking but this sound I'm hearing kinda has that exhaust leak tick. It shuts up when I punch it but comes back at steady speed and below. The loudest I can make it happen is at a stop on in gear (automatic). That's when it's really prominent.

i like that cig smoke idea. I don't smoke so I'll ask my brother to come over who does. LOL

 

 

Get new headers, obviously the flange on your headers is no where near true. Also make sure you creep & alternate torque your bolts. I always use that technique for heads and exhaust headers... it works

 

Whatever you end up doing, if you need to re-do your header gaskets, go with RemFlex, they are the shiz. There a thick crush gasket that only requires one torque and bam, done. Google'em you will see nothing but good reviews, even with old headers that are tweeked a bit..... Put some on my recent build and not a peep out of the headers......

 

Nice!! never heard of them, thanks

 

About a year ago the stock single gaskets that come with the FlowTechs blew out. I'm not sure if a tried remflex or percy but they were the loudest gaskets I've ever heard. After install I immediately threw them away and went with the basic steel core you see in the picture. Not sure of the brand, it was a crushable aluminium that was 3 layers thick. Is this remodels the same stuff?

 

Not sure if its what ya used, they are a thick aluminum based crush gasket and they are a little pricey, but a lot of folks have had great luck with them.. Good luck on your fix...

 

I meant "remflex". These shmansy new iPhones don't know our grease monkey lingo.

I think I'll try that disconnecting the fan/smoke trick of some sort to rule out exhaust leak. Eventually, when something takes me 20 tries or I just can't figure it out, I bite the bullet and take her in. It takes a while to get to that point.

 

Is it possible to run the engine with the valve cover off to check for ticking? Without making a mess?

 

You could try the old school trick of using a BIG screwdriver as a "stethoscope".

Put the butt end of the handle against your ear, folding that flappy bit at the front in like you are trying to plug you ear with your finger. Press it hard enough that it blocks your hearing but not so much it hurts! Now press the tip against the valve cover near where you think the noise is. This will conduct the sound more or less into your skull and make any mechanical sounds much more obvious. Do keep body parts away from the fan! I had an alternator belt rip some hair out once. I didn't like it one bit.

If you don't have a big screwdriver, anything that's hard and that you are willing to be seen in public with it jammed into the side of your head will work. I use my Streamlight LED at work.

Michael