I am gettting quit annoyed. I installed MAC headers about a month ago and ever since there has been this ticking noise that sounds like it is coming from under the hood. I know that the first thing that most of you will think is that I have an exhaust leak. That is what I thought. But it is only noticible when I am under acceleration or I am crusing. I CANNOT hear it when I just rev my engine. What in the world could this be. Please help. Thanks.

BTW I think it has something to do with the ypipe where it is connected to the headers. Anyone else have this problem?

 

Check to see if the headers or y-pipe are banging on the frame or k-member.

 

another thing that i forgot to mention was that the ticking sound gets faster or slower depending on whether i am accelerating fast or slow. Very weird.

 

That sounds exactly like an exhaust leak.

 

i know it does.....but wouldnt it do it even if it isnt under acceleration like when i rev my engine?? it sounds like it is coming from the drivers side. I looked at the headers and I dont notice any carbon deposits around the header or gaskets. i just wonder if anyone else had a problem with MAC headers connecting to the ypipe that is provided. It looks like it wouldnt connet very good. I dont know...i just want it stopped

 

I almost bought macs but I was told they are notorious for exhaust leaks and poor fitment

 

No, you probably wouldn't notice it as much if you just rev the engine. It would be most noticeable when accelerating. Check the header gasket. Sounds exactly like an exhaust leak.

 

how would i check the header gasket...there is no black stuff around the gasket....would that tell me if there was a leak???

 

I put BBK's on my car about a year ago. I had the exact same problem. I don't know about the '97 but my '96 has that really funky shaped flange coming off of the header. The exhaust leak couldn't be heard while the car was setting still, only when the flange was under pressure (acceleration). I ended up taking it appart again and this time when I put the gasket back in I used the stock Felpro gasket with the metal screen in it instead of that crappy paper one that came with my kit and I used almost a half tube of RTV silicone on each side. When I went to bolt it down I tightend it just enough to hold it on that way I didn't squeeze out all of the RTV. I let it dry for 24 hours and went back the next day and tightend it down the rest of the way. I haven't had any problems out of since then.

Good luck,
Jason

 

It is an exhaust leak, you dont hear it when you rev it out of gear because there is no load on the motor. If it sounds like its coming from the dash it is at the manifold, otherwise it is the Y-pipe. Even if you do not see visual leaks around the gasket, it can still leak. Retighten your header bolts.

 

ok....i will try both of those things and see what happens....

 

I ahd that with my headers too, aleak from the y-pipe flange....I redid the gasket with RTV silicone...Poof, no more leak!

 

I don't know if this has anything to do with your problem but could it be the AIR fitting? My brother didn't get the right AIR seats from MAC and has a ticking sound as well.

 

its an exhaust leak(99%). what gaskets did you use? if you didn't use stock GM ones.. install those and also check to ensure the headers are flat. if its still leaking, its probably the slip tube, AIR/EGR fittings or the ball joints (in that order). seal the slip tube and ball joints with ultra copper, and verify you have the EGR/AIR stuff tight and properly assembled

 

Here's an easy way to find the header leak. Take a good length of hose, something with a good size inner diameter, and with the engine running, hold one end to your ear and the other end to the exhaust primary at the header gasket. You'll be able to hear which one is leaking.

One other thing, putting headers in the car lets noises out that you never heard before too. I.E. things get louder.