Hello everybody

As some of you may know, I recently installed a set of JBA shorty headers on my 5.4L, along with an SPD y-pipe.

Here's another thread I have going about this...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...s-5-4l-2v.html

And, here's the writeup I did on it...
2004 F250 Broken Exhuast Manifold Stud

I have a question about a noise I'm hearing. With the engine under light load, I hear what sounds like a really slight exhaust leak on the driver's side. I've laid under there with it running & someone blocking the tailpipe with a towel and I can't feel any leaks anywhere. I had to re-tighten the header bolts twice in the beginning, but they've been tight every time I've checked since.

Truck runs great but the slight noise is a little irritating. Does anyone else with headers have this sort of noise? Maybe this is typical for these engines and headers? Wishful thinking LOL.

What does exhaust flutter sound like? Maybe that's what's goin on since I did the y-pipe? Do 5.4L's ever suffer from flutter? I thought that was just a V10 thing..?

Or, is this likely just a good old fashioned exhaust leak that I can't pin down? Its been this way for about 300 miles and hasn't got any worse, or better.

If anyone has any advice about this I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance! <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

i have heard a few people say they got a funny noise like that after changing over the Y pipe, but not everyone i know has that problem it seems to be hit or miss
i dont know if this helps you or not but you might be able to do a search on the Y pipe mod

 

You're hearing the exhaust pulses through the thin tubing on the headers. Get used to it,or remove them-there's not a real "fix" for that annoying racket other than wrapping the headers which will void any warranty that you have,and will make a very short life for those JBA headers.
JL

 

A header wrap will help, but as mentioned may void the header warranty.

Heat Shields - Insulation - Exhaust Header Wrap

 

Thanks for the replies guys

JL -- I don't mind living with the noise, as long as I'm convinced its a normal occurance. If its just noise, that's fine. Somewhat annoying but as long as I'm not worrying about it, I'll be able to ignore it soon enough. Much like the coal trains that kept me awake the first two nights of college. From night three to the end I didn't even notice them

I've only had headers on two other vehicles before this truck and both of those had a loud enough exhaust that, I guess, I never noticed this sort of thing.

Thanks again!

 

Had a friend with a Mustang GT (stock headers) and this is quite normal.

 

Just to confirm your suspicions go around all the exhaust header flanges and manifold area with a stethascope ( a piece of 1/4" poly tubing works well). It will amplify the smallest of leaks.

 

Thinking about this, I remember someone saying that the original Y-Pipe had the crimps or "neck-down" on it to eliminate a "flutter" noise.

 

I cant answer your question but can say my v10 has no flutter. Headman headers include the y pipe and no noises. Definately wider than the stock necked down crossover.

 

My eBay headers were VERY LOUD!! Lots of flutter. Tinny, metallic sound - easily mistaken for a leak. I header wrapped mine and at least 75% of the noise is gone. There's still some of it there, but I blame that on myself. I wasn't able to wrap the headers perfectly while they were already on the truck. I'm confident what you're hearing is just header noise frome the thin tubes. If it's that much of an issue (an it was for me) try the header wrap.

 

Thanks for the additional replies!

I just got back from a trip to PA. About 800 miles total and the noise didn't get any better or worse. I'm going to check one more time for leaks tomorrow around the ball flanges and also try what DAVE67FD suggested.

I'll admit that "getting used to it" is harder than I thought it would be I might look into the header wrap before long if its still bothering me.

grec-o-face--- do you have any pics of your wrapped headers? Which wrap did you use?

For the record, my mileage at the four fillups was 15.7, 15.0, 13.0, and 17.9mpg. See if you can guess which ones were city, mixed, and all freeway?

 

Just read this on the JBA site. I think this comes as no surprise but I thought I'd check. Still gonna consider it though.

 

I bought cheap ebay header wrap, I figured it was appropriate with my cheap eBay headers. Haha. Make sure you get 2" wide wrap, and try to get 1/8" wrap instead of 1/16". I bought 2 50' rolls and still have about 15 or 20 feet left.
There's more info about my install here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...s-weekend.html

 

I have a flutter with my gibsons. Under heavy load there is a flutter from the floor and a little higher up. I've got to crawl under it and check the bolts, but I thought we put Stage8 bolts on the headers when they were installed.

Be very careful with header wraps. They can hold moisture against the pipes, and manifolds don't need anymore excuse to rust than the heat and cooling they under go. JBA should be SS, but even 304 will rust, 409 will a little quicker. Just something to keep an eye on.

 

Just as a follow up, I still have the noise and I still can't find a leak so at this point I'm convinced its "the nature of the beast"

And, I'm officially "used to it". Took about 2.5 months but I don't even notice it now unless I'm specifically listening for it.

Still lovin' the additional throttle response and pep though