Can a header gasket leak cause this?

[ineeda5.0]

Before I bought my fox I and two of my friends who are mechanics checked it out thoroughly. I was told that it had an exhaust gasket leak by the right side header. I have a simple question, Could this leak cause excess noise from my engine because lately I noticed my engine has been sounding slightly louder and it seems as if it is coming from where the gasket leak is???

Also considering I have stock headers and do not have the money to upgrade right now, I will probably only replace the gasket, Would i be able to use a gasket from an aftermarket set of headers.. Any info would be appreciated

 

[tannerc91gt]

is it a loud "ticking" type noise, that should get faster at higher RPMS? if so, its a header leak. Just get felpro replacement gaskets, shouldnt take more than 30 min to replace...BUT be careful, seeing as you have stock manifolds, im sure the bolts are factory and probably pretty weak at this point, make sure not to round one off or snap one

 

[Tanus]

start it cold and stick you hand there, should feel air pumping out.

 

[ineeda5.0]

I believe there is air coming fromm there, but im 100% sure there is a header gasket leak, and yes it kinda does sound like a loud constant ticking... Its hard to hear at high rpms because i have no cats and an x-pipe on and its hard to distinguish..

 

[Mustang5L5]

From what i've seen...exhaust leaks make a car sound and run like chit. I've HATED my car when i've had exhaust leaks. After getting them all tight though, i fell back in love with it.

 

[SpartaPerformance]

Yes an exhaust gasket leak will make a horrible loud, rattle - ticking type noise at idle and will change with engine RPM

 

[njoliver]

my dd is a 95 s10 with a 355 in it and it ticks horribly I think that might be the problem also

 

[Mustang5L5]

A sticking lifter can also tick in a similar manner.

 

[ineeda5.0]

What do you guys think about this, dont know why its so cheap, will these gaskets fit my 5.0 h.o. with stock headers?

Ford 79-95 Gaskets, Header, 302/351 by Ford Racing at LRS - Same Day Shipping!

 

[tannerc91gt]

I've always heard a little tranny fluid in the oil can fix a ticking lifter....never needed/wanted to try it though

 

[885.0conv]

Guy I work with swears by it. He is a graduate of UTI out here and was a race mechanic. Put tranny fluid in with the oil and run for 10-15 min and drain it. I think it was because the tranny fluid is not as thick as motor oil so it fixes the lifter.

 

[njoliver]

I will give that a try tommorrow on my truck

 

[project67]

Guy I work with swears by it. He is a graduate of UTI out here and was a race mechanic. Put tranny fluid in with the oil and run for 10-15 min and drain it. I think it was because the tranny fluid is not as thick as motor oil so it fixes the lifter.

trans fluid can fix a sticking lifter and also clean other engine components due to the detergents present in atf.

 

[njoliver]

well yesterday I took my valve covers off and found my rockers extremely loose after trying to adjust them I found out my cam is garbage 2 intakes barely open. this is of course my POS 350 that doesnt even have 3,000 miles