ticking

[poppa]

Hi, need some advice on a ticking noise. It sounds like some of the noise may be a header gasket loose/blown but ,there's more than that. I wanted to take off the valve covers and look while it's running but I'm pretty sure that would create quite a mess. Suggestions? Ideas? Trying to narrow it down to which one(s).Thanks

[XH29N0G]

Sometimes you can isolate the location of sounds (like ticks) by placing the end of a long solid metal rod against the bone in front of your ear, and then placing the other end against the metal parts you where the sound is coming from.  Do not know how loud it will be, so I would be careful when first trying it out.

[1974dodgecharger]

mine was a header gasket blown nearest to driver firewall i know what you are talking about i thought it was a bad cylindr but u put my hand back there and felt ar bursting out each stroke.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I have heard of TQ converter bolts coming loose (or just being the wrong size head) rubbing on trans case etc

[green69rt]

Ticking around the engine is typical of a exhaust leak, crack in exhaust manifold, leaky manifold gasket etc.  I once found one by putting one end of a soda straw in my ear and the other around the engine till I located it.  For me it was a cracked manifold close to the exhaust pipe connection.  It took some time to find so good luck.

[poppa]

So far the header bolts did come loose so I will try to tighten later today and check out some other stuff. Hopefully (doubt it though) the gasket survived. Thanks for the quick relies

[69wannabe]

Your local parts store should have a mechanic's stethiscope (doubt that is spelled right) but anyway they are fairly cheap and have many uses like checking for engine noises and checking for bad bearings in water pumps and pulleys and etc... Its very handy and I use mine pretty regularly!!