It's finally alive, also question about a ticking sound

[281pony]

after 4 months my car is finally running again with the 331

i have a ticking/tapping noise from the drivers side fender area. im thinking its an exhaust leak but i wanted to get some opinions.

it is noticable in the car. the sound is the loudest and most noticable under 1500 rpm, then up to 2k from there its not as loud. its like a click, click, click type sound. does that seem like an exhaust leak or something else?

my cousin said it sounded like little explosions to him under there, so im thinking more of an exhaust leak. it fluctuates in tapping also sometimes.

other then that, it fires up good and doesnt blow a head gasket every 10 seconds. thanks for the input

 

[281pony]

dammit im confused.

header to h-pipe is tight and fitting good, header bolts tightened, rocker arm bolts tight, all of them are inline, seeming like a lifter.

sounds coming from the valve cover area.

 

[p.exeter_bleu]

check your rockers. valve cover clearance, etc.

 

[88GT17MA]

Headers are a pain. Let the engine warm up pretty good and then re-torque the header bolts while its still hot. The changing temperature from when you have the engine running to when its cooled down effects the headers alot as they are "still seating." Basically, keep re-tightening until it goes away and then check them on a regular basis. Hopefully it is just the header and hopefully this will work. If it doesnt, you might have to go to a shop and get the header flanges sanded flat or try and double your gaskets. headers are a pain to seal, especially cheap ones! Just keep in mind that exhaust leaks only get worse....

 

[vikingpower]

Run your fingers around your header tubes next to the head and you should be able to feel the exhaust blowing out; and use copper gaskets. I had the same problem with the gaskets I got with my BBK long tubes.

 

[macx]

I had a similar deal when I first started my
"new" 351 (on the cheap, all low miles used parts) with 1.72 roller rockers / pedestals. I'd done the lifter preload very carefully, but when I first started it it sure sounded like the lifters on the pass side bank were clattering.

Ultimately figured it out and felt like an idiot, but was glad of what it was - I had forgotten to reconnect the hose from the air pump back to the air injection piping.
Was feeling around for header gsket leaks, found a lot of air moving but it wasn't real hot, started looking closely with a light, found it.

WHEW! Now it's nice and quiet.

 

[281pony]

ok, let me add a few things

i felt by the headers/h-pipe, re-torqued the header bolts twice, felt the valve cover, pulled the cover and listened. no exhaust leak, header/h-pipe bolts cant get any tighter, sealing perfect, headers are fine with brand new felpro gaskets.

just making a loud tap tap tap sound. made an order with summit for some new lifters, fluidyne radiator and a mark 8 fan off ebay today the sound is only coming from the drivers side valve cover, no smog pump, everythings connected. it all points to the lifters.

just happy to see the car running finally. thanks for the advice