Engine still ticking, me still banging my head.

[Hydrocarbon]

I've have done everything I can think of to stop this damn noise. It sounds like a lifter/exhaust leak, but I've replaced the header gaskets and made sure of proper lifter preload. You can hear the tick better if your underneath the car. I bought a mechanics stethoscope, and I can hear the tick the loudest coming from the collector, and all four primaries on the passenger side header.

Come on guys help me.

 

[shttygtstang]

valve? how many miles on the heads

 

[Hydrocarbon]

I was 'told" by the PO that the engine had 55,000 miles. Other then the ticking, the motor runs strong.

 

[RiceCooker5.0]

I dont know what kind of header you have, but
I know my headman shorty's came with a pin hole
leak where the tubes came together, I sent it back
under warranty and they sent me back a new one.
It was the passenger side header.

 

[shttygtstang]

y ont you use some type of sray and see if the headers have a hole i dought it though

 

[Hydrocarbon]

I'm using a pair of used/new Hooker Comp. long tubes. What type of "spray" could I use to check for pin-hole leaks?

 

[Hydrocarbon]

ttt

 

[scorp69]

i had a similar problem, thought it was the rockers. took off upper intake, it wasn't the rockers. the noise was heard mostly inside, although i had a know header leak, it was the spark plug wires.

 

[Hydrocarbon]

The wires are new Taylor pro wires. I don't "think" they are arching but I'll check.

 

[Hydrocarbon]

I can't see any wires arching. The sound seems to be getting louder.

Ever heard of having to get 6.300" pushrods for a stock valvetrain?

 

[Hydrocarbon]

ttt

 

[Hydrocarbon]

If your engine made an annoying noise that drove you crazy, I'd help you.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Does it have roller rockers? If so, they tend to be noisy regardless. As far as the headers go, how did you install the gasket? Just because it's new, doesn't mean it was installed right. If it's a paper gasket you're suppose to soak it in water overnight and let it swell so it conforms to the flange when bolted on (I also run a bead of high heat copper silicone along the outer edges of the flange to ensure there are no leaks). Then you've got to tighten from the inside of the header, outward making sure not to over tighten. Take it for a tear, let it completely cool down, and then re-torque the bolts. You may actually have to do this a couple of times to make sure. It may also be leaking at the exhaust flange where it bolts to the H-Pipe. A little high temp silicone in that knuckle wouldn’t hurt either. Check your pollution system and the crossover pipe running across the back of both heads as well. They’re often overlooked.

Keep us posted.

 

[timewarped1972]

as for a poor weld or a pin hole in your header, try this..........let the engine be completely cool, get ahold of some compressed air hopefully you or some one has an air compressor. try and rig up the air hose in the tail pipe put some rags around it what ever, to try to get a bit of a seal, or maybe disonnect the exaust at the header and do this to keep the air from crossing to the other pipe. get some air goin through it and see if you hear an air leak or you could use water to squirt on the header and see if you have any bubbles........all this would be easer with the header of ofcourse but it's just an idea...........maybe a friend could put his hands over the tail pipes with it running creating back pressure and see if it gets louder??? just some ideas......

 

[93killerbee]

try adding a can of marvel mystry oil to it i had a tick in my first car 87 escort put a can of that in it and poof the tick was gone, just a thought!

 

[battyice]

Mechanical Fuel pumps can certainly make a loud ticking noise when they get old; I've seen people replace their entire valve train trying to eliminate a tick caused by the fuel pump.

Edit: just noticed your running EFI, guess this doesn't help you much.

 

[Hydrocarbon]

Thanks for the reply guys, I really appreciate it.

I installed my headers using fel-pro 1415s with some Permatex copper sealant on both sides of the gasket. I did the same with with the collector gaskets which are a Mr.Gasket brand. I tightened the bolts the best I could. I bought Stage 8 bolts thinking they were high quality, but I can only get a socket on half the bolts, the other half I have to use an open-end wrench which slips off the head.

I added some oil cleaner stuff and the sound didn't change any. Maybe after a few oil changes the sound will get better? I'm running Mobil 1 10W-30 with a purolator oil filter.

I've totally eliminated the smog. I plugged the two holes in the back of the head with 5/8x1" bolts and some red locknseal. I currently have dumps on the car so it may be difficult to do that air compressor thing, but you've given me an idea.

Would a leaking pipe after the mufflers cause a tick? When I had my exhaust put on I couldn't afford tailpipes, so I just had dumps put on. The installer just tacked a piece of pipe to direct the heat away from the axle.

 

[timewarped1972]

did you determine what cycle the tick is at? meaning how frequent it occurs? does it do it at all rpm's? does it do it when it's cold or hot?
i know you have already checked most this stuff but i'm just gonna give a list off the top of my head of anything that may resonate a ticking or knock sound. loose plug, loose plug wire, spark leak ,fuel pump, header gasket, pin hole in exaust, cracked head in exaust port, lifter, rocker arm, piston wrist pin, rod bearing ( deeper than a tick i guess ) , cracked flex plate ( auto's only ), and burnt exaust valves can make some weird noises but usually you hear that through the exaust tail pipe.

 

[Hydrocarbon]

I hooked a timing light up to the plug wires and the tick seems to be occurring the same time the light flashes. I don't think it's the bottom end, because I've confirmed OP at 60/50 cold/hot with a mechanical gauge. I've had the engine to redline (5800 RPM) and she's strong, but so loud I can't hear the tick.

The tick gets louder when driving down the road, at about 1200-1500 RPM. If your driving along something the sound can echo off of its really loud The tick increases in frequency as engine speed increases, and will do it hot or cold.

The engine sat for who knows how long in Concord CA until I bought it off ebay. I've only put about 350 miles on it so far. My fuel pump is a older NOS electric inline, and it makes a ton of noise. I'm going to replace it with something less annoying, but that's another project.

If I can't find the tick I'll be sad because I will be listening to my radio instead of my V8.

 

[shttygtstang]

could it be a bad push rod or rr if your headers are new i had that on a car before