I have a 352 bored .040 over with a comp 280h. I have it idling nice and choppy, but there is a ticking noise on the p***engers side of the engine. I pulled the valve cover on that side and the rockers seem to be moving the same amount. When I go out on the road, when you sort of get in to it, it backfires out of the p***engers side exhaust. POP. Like that. Is this an exhaust leak or the dreaded wiped lobe?
Yes it is, either and exhaust leak or wiped lobe that is. I chased a ticking tappet for a month once then one time I had my head under the hoods and felt the hot exhaust gas hitting me. Only way to figure out if it is a wiped lobe is to run the valves and see if you have one that is way off from the others. You did convert to adjustable rockers with that hot cam right?
I didn't change to adjustable rockers. I guess I could but I was told I wouldn't need to. Other reason is that they are 600 dollars.
$600 for FE adjustable rockers? I'm no Ford guy but I'm pretty sure I have seen OEM rockers for FEs in the junk yard.
Well I don't know much about valvetrains but for the whole ***embly kit I'm seeing is pretty expensive.
Take a piece of shop air hose and hold one end to your ear and the other end to search for exhaust leaks at the usual places...header flanges, joints etc. If you have an exhaust leak it will become apparent when you find it. You can't tell with the engine running. FEs are famous for exhaust flange leaks.
I think I may have found it. The ticking got loud and focused in my ear when I moved the hose towards the rear exhaust port. I put my hand there and I felt it, almost like wind. I'll try to tighten it or adjust the gasket when it cools down and hopefully it'll go away.
Be careful and do not over tighten the manifold - they can crack and that will create another job!!! FE series manifolds are notorious for leaking - get them planed straight and use a good gasket material - some from the factory had no gasket and relied on the trueness of the manifold to mate to the head and seal.
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