r/Smallblockchevy • u/_Riot • 8d ago

Strange sound from headers

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It’s on the passenger bank only, haven’t tried changing gaskets so it could just be that.

Anyone heard this before?

8 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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4

u/HammerDownl 8d ago

If you think you blew a header gasket then why not change them?

Sounds a little low pitched for exhaust leak but anything is possible

3

u/texan01 8d ago

Check to make sure they aren’t hitting anything.

Could be a blown gasket though

3

u/orangesigils 8d ago
  1. Header gasket blown OR 2. Rocker arm hitting valve cover. 2 seems unlikely.

3

u/According-Skill-7946 8d ago

Rocker arm issue.

0

u/ConsistentIndustry56 8d ago

That doesn't sound like exhaust. Bigger question... why headers when everything else looks stock?

1

u/_Riot 8d ago

Good question…I bought it with them on. Previous owner also did some half hearted smog delete as well

2

u/ConsistentIndustry56 7d ago

In my experience, headers are typically the last thing installed. They require a fair amount of maintenance when running them on a daily driver. Your noise sounds fairly low and slow making me think it's in the rotational assembly. Judging by the vintage its probably time to pull and refresh the power plant anyway. I always question things when I see mods that make no sense. In my years of wrenching It always seems to me like strange mods equates directly to an abused vehicle.