Is this just common cheap header tap…?

[Perna00]

I got a ‘19 5.0 and someone was selling the cheaper 2” long tube headers without cats. It was the common rebadged ones that needed dimpled in to allow for the steering linkage to clear. I installed them (reusing the stock gaskets as told by most members) and was able to tighten every nut as the originals. I didn’t have the car for but a week before I swapped it so I’m not sure if my noise was there prior to the install. I’m getting a tapping noise only audible under very light load and only in drive. It’s around the 2,000-2,500 rpm band. I can pulse the rpm’s above and below the mark and it will fade/return but only light throttle. I’m not sure if it is just the frequency or flow from the headers doing it or if it is something else. Any advice…?

Sponsored

 

[Bitten in '69]

What you are hearing could be a leak. It could be a loose bolt, leaky gasket, or bent/gouged flange.
Try using a small diameter tube held to your ear to act as a stethoscope and to pinpoint the sound.

 

[Perna00]

What you are hearing could be a leak. It could be a loose bolt, leaky gasket, or bent/gouged flange.
Try using a small diameter tube held to your ear to act as a stethoscope and to pinpoint the sound.

hopefully it still makes a sound when it isn’t driving. I’ve never heard it in neutral or idle but maybe with the stethoscope I can detect it.

 

[Perna00]

So I hooked up the blower to my shop vac and I noticed that the exhaust was leaking where the header flange clamps were located. I must have hit something on the road and it bent the bolt and it was leaking. I checked the opposite one and it even had a slight leak. I tried tightening them more and the one snapped and the other one wouldn’t quit leaking. When I installed them, the company said I wasn’t supposed to use anything between the header flange and connecting flange…I’m thinking I may need something to make them seal. Looks like I’m buying a few clamps and possibly a gasket. Below is what came with the headers:

 

[HKusp]

Those are pretty good "V-band" style clamps. They usually work very well. My 7.3 Powerstroke uses them on the turbo and they hold very well.

 

[Perna00]

Those are pretty good "V-band" style clamps. They usually work very well. My 7.3 Powerstroke uses them on the turbo and they hold very well.

i’m going to use some copper RTV sealant on them with some new clamps and see what happens

 

[Perna00]

No luck. I got the clamps sealed perfect but still the same tap. Doesn’t change with oil pressure or anything concerning to the engine. I think it’s just the design/harmonics of it.

 

[Zrussian13]

Does it sound like a rattle from the engine bay? Being your only hearing it between 2-2500 rpm it make me think of the 2k rattle.

 

[Perna00]

Does it sound like a rattle from the engine bay? Being your only hearing it between 2-2500 rpm it make me think of the 2k rattle.

you are explaining it perfectly. Between 2000-2500 RPM and sounds like the engine Bay Area. What is the 2K rattle?

 

[Zrussian13]

you are explaining it perfectly. Between 2000-2500 RPM and sounds like the engine Bay Area. What is the 2K rattle?

It's a noise the gen 3s make. A lot of people think it's the DI pump kicking on but I don't know that its been confirmed. It's usually more noticeable when the engine is cold and it's more prevalent in lower gears. Mine is between 1800 and 2800rpm to be exact. Been doing it for over 100,000 miles now.

 

[Perna00]

It's a noise the gen 3s make. A lot of people think it's the DI pump kicking on but I don't know that its been confirmed. It's usually more noticeable when the engine is cold and it's more prevalent in lower gears. Mine is between 1800 and 2800rpm to be exact. Been doing it for over 100,000 miles now.

I appreciate the insight. I actually did a little bit of research and it seems pretty common. I bet you that is exactly what’s going on, but I wasn’t concentrating on hearing it because I didn’t have the car very long before the headers.

 

[TonyT930]

I got a ‘19 5.0 and someone was selling the cheaper 2” long tube headers without cats. It was the common rebadged ones that needed dimpled in to allow for the steering linkage to clear. I installed them (reusing the stock gaskets as told by most members) and was able to tighten every nut as the originals. I didn’t have the car for but a week before I swapped it so I’m not sure if my noise was there prior to the install. I’m getting a tapping noise only audible under very light load and only in drive. It’s around the 2,000-2,500 rpm band. I can pulse the rpm’s above and below the mark and it will fade/return but only light throttle. I’m not sure if it is just the frequency or flow from the headers doing it or if it is something else. Any advice…?

A head leak can sound like a tapping noise.

 

[Goterr0r]

No luck. I got the clamps sealed perfect but still the same tap. Doesn’t change with oil pressure or anything concerning to the engine. I think it’s just the design/harmonics of it.

At least you used the rattle to find and fix the leaks you had. First time someone can thank the rattle vs blaming it...

 

[Perna00]

Yes! Had to have a silver lining.

 

[Perna00]

Man… I think I just had a breakthrough with the header tap (or what I thought it was). When I was pulling a Tuning file I received, I noticed there is an actual table for spark retard for “piston rattle“. The place that created my tune, actually zeroed out all the spark retard in that table, which is only right in the areas I’m hearing my “header tap” which is typically between 2000 and 4000 RPM at .2 to .5 load. At that low of a load request and RPM, I am obviously not looking for optimal power. It will be tuned back to the stock piston rattle retard rate and I will drive it over the next few days to see the results. I am also curious if others that have piston rattle can possible eliminate theirs with manipulation of the table.

Sponsored