This is really starting to **** me off...I have a tick that happens only when I goose it on my 302. To me it points to exhaust leak, as I can let it rev all the way to 4500 without goosing it and no tick in park, but the moment I goose it, the tick is back. Ok says I...probably the exhaust manifold is leaking because it was coming from the passenger's side. Yanked the bolts out and then put a gasket in between the head and manifold. Still there...Just yanked off the manifold...no cracks, no soot marks, nothing. Yanked the plugs on that side...perfect tan with no marks of anything ever hitting them. It's driving me ape-**** that I can't find it. One other thing...water is disappearing. No idea where the hell it goes. I pressurized the system and got nothing. Radiator is new...once again it isn't leaking into the cylinders or oil as plugs are tan instead of clean and nice black oil. (Gonna be changed tomorrow) If I had the time (aka gotta work then school) I'd and pop in that fresh 351 sitting in the garage.
Update:
Update...fixed an exhaust leak. ****ing tick is still there. Yanked off the valve cover, everything is good in there. When I had the manifold off the 1st time, the plug was nice and tan. Damn thing sounds good, except for the tick with a load on the motor. So I started doing a bit of investigation, yanked the #2 plug wire (one by one method...start and rev) and the tick went away. Could it possibly be that the manifold is warped enough that the gasket didn't help? I couldn't visibly find any cracks in the damned thing when I yanked it off the last time. If I yank it off again...can I just take the manifold to something like a piece of glass or something and sand it down a bit?
Head gasket? Exhaust leak?

 

the manifold could be warped

 

what about ignition ping slow rev you would never notice it!!!! check timing

 

How about swaping the Plug to another cylinder, also the lead, just incase it is something stupid like that? That way you can confirm the exact spot, and illiminates the plug etc. Sounds like you are getting real close to finding it!!
Cheers,

 

swaping wires around/plugs around yielded nada...all 4 cylinders have 150-160 psi of compression. New oil...I can't find a leak in the manifold for anything.

 

Grr...this tick is driving me crazy. Any tips or tricks on finding an exhaust leak?

 

I do not use Gaskets on the Exhaust Manifold, use a silicon, or RTV sealant or exhaust goo.
That will seal the exhaust to head properly, some times you can see a bit of "black" carbon around the leak also.
Check the "flange" seals on the pipes, replace and re-seal.
Maybe you have a tiny hole on the exhaust manifold or headers in the joints?

Grrrr from me too !!!!!

 

Accidentilly stumbled upon what was the cause. The head gasket popped. I don't understand it...160psi of compress when I checked it before I left for school...now nothing. No oil/water mixing. Motor gets opened up as soon as I get my beater down here.

 

Yaa hoo.....sort of.....