Pretty sure I've got a leak developing from the driver side manifold, typical "tick tick" type exhaust leak noise that seems to go away as the engine warms up but is steadily getting worse. I've read some pretty good older posts on here about gasket/bolt replacement and one on a header install. Curious to hear reviews from anyone who has been running the Gibson headers for a few years now if they've held up and were worth the investment. My truck is my daily driver so I'm not looking for huge performance gains or anything but if I'm going to go through the hassle of taking the manifold off might as well put something better in it's place, right? Are there any other header options for our trucks? Preferred gasket or hardware sources? What about the gasket sealant?

Thanks in advance!

JR

 

If you want to confirm if you have a leak around your manifold use this trick...

Make up a spray bottle of soapy solution

Hook up a shop vac to blow instead of suck and attach it to your exhaust pipe

Turn on the vacuum and get under the truck (turned off and NOT running)

Spray the solution around any and all edges of where the manifold connects to the engine block and Y-pipe, if there is a leak you will start to see bubbles from the solution where ever the air is escaping from. This will let you know if it's just a seal or if in fact your manifold has a crack in it.

There are a couple good YouTube videos that show how this is done.

 

I might have to do this, too. Mine ticks when I first start it, especially when it's cold out.

 

Could also be the gap formed between the hydraulic lifters and the valves after the oil has run out of the lifters on a cold soak. Some seem to get it, some don't, but either way it has never appeared to cause any problems for anyone, other than a tick on cold startup.

 

That is not uncommon with a cracked manifold. When the metal contracts from the cold, the gap gets wider. After you drive a bit, the metal expands and closes up the crack. After a while, the crack will get larger, and you can hear the noise hot, or cold. For some reason, it always seems to be the passenger side that cracks. I have replaced two on my 2005. One under warranty, and one by me.

 

Mine was the driver's side..passenger side was rustier though

 

I just replaced my drivers side manifold gasket (luckily no cracks just a broken bolt not holding manifold on tight) and it was definitely a put-put-put not a ticking noise. erau might be right on the valves because they make the ticking noise for a minute after a cold start up before going away. I have one now and its annoying as hell.

 

6 months on the JBA headers that I recommend.