Need help on possible exhaust leak.

[skokie]

I am hearing a clicking noise coming from the passenger side exhaust ramhorn. It doesnt seem to be coming from the valve cover. The ramhorn I have has the A.I.R. holes which are all plugged. I have checked the bolts going to the head and they are tight. I checked the exhaust flange nuts and they are tight as well. Anything else I can do?

[Brainchild]

Check the manifold itself for cracks.Maybe it's on the backside where it's not obvious.Or maybe a manifold gasket leaking a bit.

[Fred T]

Take a 4' piece of hose, stick one end up to your ear, and listen around with the other end, just like a doctor uses a stethoscope.

[Tx Firefighter]

Could be the donut is tired and blown out.

Pour a tiny drizzle of ATF down the top of the carb and the smoke will come out of the leak and make it easier to find.

I said tiny drizzle, like a spoonful. Too much will kill the engine, you don't want to do that, I assure you.

[skokie]

Brainchild the exhaust manifold is new from GM and not one of the repros. All of the gaskets are new.
FredT I do have piece of heater hose that I can use. I will do that first and see whats going on. What am I listening for?
Tx Firefighter When I drop the spoonful of tranny fluid down the carb should the truck be warmed up and running or turn it off, pour the tranny fluid down its gully and start it up?

[Tx Firefighter]

warmed up fully and running.

[Brainchild]

With the heater hose,you'll know when you find something.It'll be louder,and noisy

[68w/sbc406]

you could take your hand a feel around for air puffs, do it while its cold so your hand can actually stand being down by the block, and dont touch the manifold, trust me on that one

[skokie]

Update: I started with the ramhorn exhaust manifold gasket and guess what. They were black and also the left rear of the pass side was in sideways. I replaced that entire side. Went over to the driver side and checked those and they are good no issues there or need to replace. Still clicking. I broke out the 3/4 inch hose and put it on the valve cover. No click. Moved it to the flange and there it was real loud clicking. Coming from the nut under the starter. So looks like I got a starter to remove and a donut to replace. Will come back with another update.

[skokie]

Well I managed to get in there and tighten up that bolt without having to remove the starter. Its a little better but still clicking. I put the heater nose next to one of the studs closest to the pass side firewall and nothing. I moved it to the spot I tightened and click click click. I think Tx Firefighter is right I think that donut is in need of replacement. What would be the easiest way to replace the donut? Can I take the ramhorn off of the head and go that route?

[BADBOY66]

just disconnect the pipe from the exhaust manifold.if it is hard to get backup use a floor jack

[Brainchild]

I'm with badboy66, easier to do from underneath.With a long extension,and a wobble you may not have to remove the starter.I can do it on mime with the starter in place.It's tricky though