94sinister

About 2 weeks ago I noticed an exhaust leak coming from the passenger side header. Anyways I notice a bolt is missing (Must have loosened then fallen out) and got new bolts. Put the new bolts in and problem is gone. SO on Sunday night I raced a friend's Z28 on the highway about 3 or 4 times...on my way home I notice a sound similar to the exhaust leak as mentioned before, only louder/worse.

I started the car up cold this morning so I could get my hands near the headers to feel for any exhaust leaking...I could only reach down to the top of the primaries but didn't feel anything. It's possible the car is leaking from the bottom of the flange but can't reach that far to feel for any exhaust.

FYI I hit the speed governor a few times (105mph...H-rated tires) so is it possible I collapsed a lifter/loosened a rocker arm/bent a valve or pushrod? The noise is hard to notice at idle, but it get's louder as I give it some throttle. The clicking/tapping sound is coming from the passenger side only, and sounds like it's coming from the valve covers. Does a blown header gasket sound like an exhaust leak only 5 times louder and worse?
----Sorry for the long post...any info will be appreciated

Amped96

Blown header gaskets sound like ***. LOUD ticking is usually a good sign of a blown header gasket. I have had several...all on the passenger side actually. I would recommend a GOOD header gasket or even some stock manifold gaskets.

The best thing to get really is some breslin locking header bolts...best invention ever. I haven't had ANY gasket problems since installing these bolts.

OBE1 95Z28

Once the bolts loosen up to cause a leak, the escaping exhaust gas destroys a section of the gasket material. You need to replace the gasket. Exhaust bolts need to be retighted after a few heat cycles; the breslin locking bolts mentioned above are well worth the money.