header leak or head noise?

[MY340]

I noticed an erratic ticking sound on the driver's side head a while back. It sounds like it comes from the back area. I checked the header bolts (Hedman headers) and they were all tight. It ticks at idle kind of erratic but I do run a MP 508 cam too. When I rev it up the sound seems to go away/not increase with rpm. Give me your opinions since I know virtually nothing about valvetrain problems. I know header leaks can sound like a lifter ticking though in some cases.

[amxauto-x]

Does it sound like a metalic ticking?
Could be a small leak on the header gasket. Starting to blow thru.

[jelsr]

Grab piece of 5/8 or 3/4 heater hose 3 or 4 ft long, hold one end up to ear and probe around with the other end. Great for finding where pesky noises are emanating from. Works like a stethoscope. Cheap and reusable too! Whodathunkit?

[74scamp]

It more than likely a header leak. Ask your self this, if you had manifold on before you put headers on and it didnt leak, then that narrows it down. My drivers side header was leaking after I bought new ones. Mine didnt leak when I had manifolds on though. I read in a magazine that I have that shows how to fix the leak by taking the bad header off and putting it on a long belt sander and flatning it even(check with a lever or t square to see if it is all flat across the surface). Then it says to use a copper gasket and RTV silicone. It worked on mine, no more leaks. If you need more explanations let me know.

[MY340]

One thing I had forgot about until after I posted the thread is I did bottom that side header out one time before changing tire size and raising the torsion bars. I could have disturbed the gasket sealing slightly on that side. The noise is kind of subtle/not real noticeable.

[6 packin]

A header leak you can see on a clean block. It will be black around the leak. You could clean of the head around the exhaust ports and take some white marker or bright color and color the area around the header. Run it for a minute you should see the leak area. If you cannot find it take a piece of broom stick handle put it aganist the enine were you suspect the noise and have a listen. It may be a lifter problem.