Chirping from right exhaust pipe

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Apr 23, 2014 | 06:31 PM

L98auto

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Chirping from right exhaust pipe

Sorry, I know this isn't a direct Corvette question, but there are a lot of knowledgeable folks on here and I'm in a bind. The car in question is my other vintage Chevy, a '73 Nova. I've never heard this noise before. It sounds like a bird chirping out of my right exhaust pipe. The motor is a 350 Goodwrench with less than 3000 miles on the clock. I recently switched from headers back to manifolds. The engine compartment is dead quiet now but a chirping noise is now coming out the back. I switched mufflers. Still chirps. I began pulling plug wires as it ran and the chirp goes away when cylinder #8 is "dead". The plugs, including #8 all look very good, a nice light tan color. Is the manifold doing this or is the quieter manifold just uncovering a noise that was there all along? The manifold is a smog piece with the smog pump holes capped with the plugs that came with it. None of the pipes a touching anything. The chirp is literally coming OUT of the tailpipe. The motor runs perfect otherwise. I'm really bummed as a big roadtrip/car show is coming up in May. Any help would be great. Thanks.

Apr 23, 2014 | 06:43 PM

Blue79

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From: North Brunswick New Jersey

You against performing a compression test?

Apr 23, 2014 | 07:01 PM

L98auto

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No, this literally just came up tonight. A compression test is likely my next step tomorrow night when I get some more free time. Valve related issue possibly?

Apr 23, 2014 | 07:36 PM

bellaireroad

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From: Fort Worth Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by L98auto

sounds like it could be an exhaust leak, especially since it started when you put the manifolds on

Apr 23, 2014 | 08:34 PM

edk136

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Joined: Jun 2011

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From: Greenville Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellaireroad

sounds like it could be an exhaust leak, especially since it started when you put the manifolds on

Yep,

Make sure the manifold isn't cracked. I had a chirping sound out of the left bank and sure enough, there was a crack on the underneath side of the manifold.

Apr 24, 2014 | 05:31 AM

L98auto

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Well, I got up early this morning before work and pulled the right manifold (which is brand new) and low and behold there's something that looks an awful lot like a crack right by cylinder #8! I can't thank you guys enough. I posted a similar thread at the Nova forum and got zero responses but you guys helped me out even though it wasn't even a Corvette. Awesome. Love this forum. Thanks again guys!