Ticking Sound/Header Gaskets
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Ticking Sound/Header Gaskets
I've had this ticking sound on the passenger side of the engine for a few weeks now. I'm pretty sure it's an exhaust leak. When you first start the car there is even a small amount of smoke for a good 15 seconds on the passenger side around the headers. The ticking also increases with engine RPM. I'm assuming its the gasket that's leaking and not the header itself. I have a Fel Pro gasket kit which I used the gaskets for the throttle body and runners, but it also came with exhaust gaskets. Will this work with Hooker 2151 headers? Summit has a set of gaskets for the headers, but I'm curious as to if the ones I have will work. Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Well you can go about this 2 ways, remove the bad exhaust gasket and compare the exhaust ports or you can check the internet on the Fel pro gasket set model # and see it matches your car. My Fel Pro exhaust gaskets were not a one piece design but 3 pieces on each side. Not the easiest to install.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Well you can go about this 2 ways, remove the bad exhaust gasket and compare the exhaust ports or you can check the internet on the Fel pro gasket set model # and see it matches your car. My Fel Pro exhaust gaskets were not a one piece design but 3 pieces on each side. Not the easiest to install.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
It definitely sounds like an exhaust leak. Have long have the headers been on the car? Normally the bolts will need to be re-torqued at some point after install. I'd try tightening the bolts before I did anything else.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Ticking Sound/Header Gaskets
They have been on for about 8 years. I re-torqued them but no luck. Thanks for the reply.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 580
Likes: 121
From: Grapevine TX
An easy way to locate an exhaust leak - Get yourself about a 3 foot piece of heater hose or something of similar size and flexibility. With the engine running, hold one end to your ear and then probe around the exhaust manifold with the other end. It'll be very obvious when you come near the leak.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Fel Pro makes a single / one side header gasket with the curls on the end to rest on the 2 outer exhaust header bolts. Just remove all the inner bolts and drop the new one in. Easier said than done I know.
