Engine "ticking " Noise

[cdurbin]

I can hear a "ticking" noise that sounds like it is coming from the passenger side rear of the engine.
I noticed the other day that one of the very back exhaust manifold bolts was very loose and looked like it was close to falling out so I tightened it up but I still hear the ticking. Do you think I have a warped header flange, some kind of exhaust leak, or something else?

Thanks

 

[jsw81]

Being that the header bolts were loose, you could have blown a header gasket. It's pretty common. Many people swear by using Ultra Copper RTV instead of regular gaskets. I have not personally tried it but there seems to be good results from it.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

My guess is a blown out header gasket too. Replace the gaskets, cover them at both ends with a finger full of the aformentioned Ultra Copper RTV, let it set up a little, then reinstall. Tighten in stages from the center, outward, take it for a good ride, let it sit the night and retorque the bolts in the same sequence in the morning and never look back.

 

[cdurbin]

How difficult of a job is this for someone like me that is still learning?
It sounds pretty simple but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew.
Thanks for the advice and tips

 

[Gearbanger 101]

You're just a few skinned knuckles and curse words away from getting it done.

 

[cdurbin]

You're just a few skinned knuckles and curse words away from getting it done.

Awesome, I think I can handle that.

 

[cdurbin]

You're just a few skinned knuckles and curse words away from getting it done.

Do I just apply Ultra Copper RTV to the ends to hold the gasket in place while it sets or do I need to cover the whole thing?
Also, do I apply the gasket to the header itself first or the engine?
Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I've always rubbed a light finger full (a couple of millimeters thick) around each exhaust port on both sides of the gasket. I then let it set up so the silicone has nearly completely hardened, then slide them into place and tighten them down. You can add a little to the header flange itself it you want....just don't get too crazy with the stuff. It'll make a mess and can blow out under pressure just as easily if you use too much of it. You really want to use it to compensate for the little imperfections in the header flange surface, not to replace the gasket itself..

 

[cdurbin]

I've always rubbed a light finger full (a couple of millimeters thick) around each exhaust port on both sides of the gasket. I then let it set up so the silicone has nearly completely hardened, then slide them into place and tighten them down. You can add a little to the header flange itself it you want....just don't get too crazy with the stuff. It'll make a mess and can blow out under pressure just as easily if you use too much of it. You really want to use it to compensate for the little imperfections in the header flange surface, not to replace the gasket itself..

One more question and I'll leave you alone
Are the header gaskets "standand" or brand specific?
The car has hedman on it now.

 

[cdurbin]

Is there a specific brand and/or material of gasket you guys recommed?

 

[cdurbin]

I picked up a performance gasket kit and some RTV to do my header gaskets this weekend. I also picked up all new header bolts and some high temp header paint.
I fihure I might as well pull them off and paint them while I'm at it. I also got some of that PB Blaster stuff to help loosen the bolts. I'm just praying that none of them break off or anything like that.

 

[tca7291]

If you still have iron heads then they should come out ok. If you have aluminium heads, be careful while pulling those bolts out!

 

[Gearbanger 101]

and some high temp header paint.

Nice. That should look really good for about an hour.

 

[cdurbin]

Nice. That should look really good for about an hour.

Ha Ha, yeah that's what I thought too. I went with black paint for that reason.

 

[cdurbin]

If you still have iron heads then they should come out ok. If you have aluminium heads, be careful while pulling those bolts out!

From what I can tell it's got the stock heads on it with Hedman headers