headers are on!! but i have ??s

[matt3989]

ok well got my headers on, they sound great even in the high rpms, and i feel so much more power, but i have some (newb) questions

- frist question,what is a tick, i no it means their is a leak, but what does it sound like?

- when i stop i get hear this popping nice, almost like really faint rapid back fires, what is this caused by? how do i fix it? is it hurting my engine?

- how often and for long will i have to tighten up the header bolts?

thx for any help

[Dominic]

the tick tick tick sound alsmost sounds like a valve tapping or could sound like air spurting out with a minimal spfff sound.

the popping doesnt harm the engine, its the fuel system going lean and is normal for late model GM V6/V8s

Tighten header bolts regularly, I would do it on a weekly basis for 2-3 weeks and then 6months.

[BLLDOGG]

Dominic is correct but i want to add that you need to tighten those bolts a lot right now if you just put them on cause when you get them on, you need to cycle through heating up your system then tighening down

[MrCoffee]

if you had a tick you would know. its the only way to describe that sound. IF you do hear a tick go directly to the EGR valve that you put on the header. or if you blocked it off, look at that plate. Thats the leaky spot on my headers.

I had that popping whenever I let off the accelerator. It was caused by one of the sides of the y-pipe falling off from the flange of the headers. I assume one of the bolts broke off or vibrated loose. replaced the bolt and I get nothing.

Its very important to tighten the headers bolts like Dominic said. if not you could end up having to replace the gaskets. which means taking the headers off and putting them on. which as you know is a PITA.

[dmw319]

the ticking is really obvious. im 98% sure you have it according to everyone else on this board that has gotten after market headers. i had a leak too. went to the dealership and got a gasket, no more leak [img]smile.gif[/img]

[matt3989]

alright thanks for the help everyone

[NOS2006]

Are there any bolts you can buy where you don't have to re-tighten weekly?

[Loochy88]

no, with the heating and cooling of the engine youre going to have to tighten a lot with any bolts.