well i had my Pacesetters and TSP catted Y pipe installed and i noticed a ticking noise. So then I read up on this issue and figured it may be a leak or the check valves. So first i took my car to the exhaust shop to have it checked for leaks. The guy said he couldnt find any leak.....So then i follow up w/ doing the restrictor plates mod. Still have the annoying tick. I then replace the check valves....still ticking. WTF could it be. When i rev the engine the tick gets faster(maybe that will help you guys help diagnose the problem) Im pretty sure its not the pushrods or anything, I dont ever really run it hard. Anyways please help me out with this. TIA

 

which header gaskets did you use? They say the metal OEM ones are the best. That is what I used and havent experienced any leaks. When I did my shortys before the LTs I had an annoying leak that ticked all the time. It turned out to be a gasket and once it was replaced it was fixed.

 

I agree,
What you are discribing sounds like a header leak. I also used OEM gaskets and havent had any leaking problems.

 

i replaced the header gasets with a brand new set of OEM gaskets, so i doubt its that. Also if it matters i had my header bolts rechecked to make sure they where tightened.

 

first of all, valvetrain noise is more noticeable when u install headers. ls1s ar enoisy motors. im sure youve heard of that famous "sewing machine" noise...??? well, it always gets louder with headers added (for some reason). so im just saying maybe u never noticed it before, but u do now cuz its louder.

 

Well i just wish i could get a fellow LS1 guy thas got headers to let them listen to it and get their opinion on it, that way id feel alot more settled. Feel free to chime in on any opinions.

 

If it makes you feel any better I have the same exact problem after instaling my Lt's. It's bugging the hell out of me and I can't figure out what its. It sounds like like its coming from the divers side header collector, but there is no leak there.

 

I had the ticking until after I installed a new cam, valve springs, and pushrods, so it had to be something I did during the cam install that cured the ticking. The first thing I did, before tackling the cam, was to tighten all my header bolts, so that could have been what cured the problem. If not that, it was probably installing hardened pushrods. Probably one or the other.

 

That's exactly what my plan is.

 

It's a good plan!! Go for it!!

 

if you can hear it ticking inside the car while driving-its to loud and is leaking somewhere. The headers shouldn't be any louder than the stock manifolds-just a slight hollower sound, sometimes you can hear a very slight tick with the hood open and your head next to it, but this is very mild. I had a leaking header which turned out to be an uneven flange that caused the cylinder 8 to leak-my only choice was to pull it and send it back and get a new one. I you put a long thin pipe around the headers you might be able to hear wher its coming from as the pipe will amplify the sound-the also make stethiscopes for this purpose-if you so choose. I would also buy some metal plates from the hardware store and block off the air this will tell you if its coming from that-although it doesn't sound like it. How loud is the tick?

 

i have the exact same problem its driving me crazy

 

My only other thought is to loosen the drivers side header, re-align the gasket and re-torque all the bolts. If that doesn't work then I will be completely stumped.

 

Myself and a buddy did Pacesetters on our cars the same day using the same setup. They both tick. My other friends stock Firehawk ticks too. Just a noisy motor I guess. Headers make it more noticable.

 

i guess so?! next mod is probably sub frame connectors or f13 cam so i guess im not going to worry bout the ticking

 

If you used the stock MLS gaskets (which are very good, IMO) I would loosen all the header bolts and re tighten incrementally from the middle out, for example #4,6,2,8, then go back through the torque sequence after a 100 miles or so.
....and it may just be valvetrain noise.

 

I have pacesetters and a cheap y-pipe and it ticks really bad as well. It probably does not help that it scrapes over many things...

 

Mine ticks as well. It's really not that big of deal, just run a louder exhaust.

 

I can't believe so many of you guys have header ticks, that really sucks. How loud is this tick you hear? Can you hear it while driving? I have the cheapest headers on the market and mine don't tick, unless my hood is open and my head is near the valve cover

 

I do as well, Mine have been on for about a month now, just started about a week or 2 ago. driving me insane. Im going to gm to get some new gaskets and going to get new header bolts, I used the gaskets that pacesetter sent me, and the bolts they sent me. Maybe thats where i goofed up.