Exhaust leak or other problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Hartland WI
Exhaust leak or other problem
I noticed on my 72 the other day that at start up I get a very slight ticking sound which I have a hard time isolating exactly where it is coming from. The ticking sound increases/decreases with engine revs. After I start the car and it warms up for about 30 seconds to a minute the sound goes away. To my ear it sounds like an exhaust leak but I'm no pro at this. I checked the header bolts and everything is snug. Wondering if it's possible I have a small leak that occurs when the engine is cold but seals up when the exhaust system gets warm and the gaskets expand. Does this seem possible? Or does this sound more lifter/valve train related? Hard to track down since it only occurs when the engine cools down and it only last a short while at startup.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Two suggestions:
Listen to valve covers with a long wood dowel or screwdriver...if anything is there,you will hear it..
For exhaust leak, you should be able to pin point it carefully by running your hand about 3" away from manifold/pipes and feel exhaust escaping...doubt gaskets swell enough to stop it...could be at flange to pipe(s) at manifold....???
You may just have a lifter pumping up slow..???
Rich
Listen to valve covers with a long wood dowel or screwdriver...if anything is there,you will hear it..
For exhaust leak, you should be able to pin point it carefully by running your hand about 3" away from manifold/pipes and feel exhaust escaping...doubt gaskets swell enough to stop it...could be at flange to pipe(s) at manifold....???
You may just have a lifter pumping up slow..???
Rich
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Hartland WI
Two suggestions:
Listen to valve covers with a long wood dowel or screwdriver...if anything is there,you will hear it..
For exhaust leak, you should be able to pin point it carefully by running your hand about 3" away from manifold/pipes and feel exhaust escaping...doubt gaskets swell enough to stop it...could be at flange to pipe(s) at manifold....???
You may just have a lifter pumping up slow..???
Rich
Listen to valve covers with a long wood dowel or screwdriver...if anything is there,you will hear it..
For exhaust leak, you should be able to pin point it carefully by running your hand about 3" away from manifold/pipes and feel exhaust escaping...doubt gaskets swell enough to stop it...could be at flange to pipe(s) at manifold....???
You may just have a lifter pumping up slow..???
Rich
If it is a lifter pumping up slowly..is this something I should address? Can it harm my valvetrain? What would the fix be if this is the problem?
I appreciate the information.
The reason I think it may be a exhaust leak is when I had my top end redone at a local shop last fall the guy had a hard time getting the headers to seal properly. I had to take it back once with an obvious exhaust leak. He then said he had to use some thicker copper gaskets and he put a little high temp sealant to help get them to seal properly. I'm thinking this problem may be creeping up again.
Last edited by 7Deuce; May 13, 2007 at 02:36 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
I'll try the listening trick and see if the noise is coming from the valvetrain.
If it is a lifter pumping up slowly..is this something I should address? Can it harm my valvetrain? What would the fix be if this is the problem?
I appreciate the information.
The reason I think it may be a exhaust leak is when I had my top end redone at a local shop last fall the guy had a hard time getting the headers to seal properly. I had to take it back once with an obvious exhaust leak. He then said he had to use some thicker copper gaskets and he put a little high temp sealant to help get them to seal properly. I'm thinking this problem may be creeping up again.
If it is a lifter pumping up slowly..is this something I should address? Can it harm my valvetrain? What would the fix be if this is the problem?
I appreciate the information.
The reason I think it may be a exhaust leak is when I had my top end redone at a local shop last fall the guy had a hard time getting the headers to seal properly. I had to take it back once with an obvious exhaust leak. He then said he had to use some thicker copper gaskets and he put a little high temp sealant to help get them to seal properly. I'm thinking this problem may be creeping up again.
Not real sure on lifter...if you find a noisy one,it could just be an adjustment hopefully...check it out first..be sure to probe/listen every 4" or so over length of valve covers...
Rich
