I have a set of pacesetter headers, factory cats, i eliminated the Y after the cats and put a 2 into 1 magnaflow muffler. It seems after the headers where installed my valve noise increased i was wonderin if this happened to anyone else? It almost sounds like an exhaust leak but had everyone look at it bolts are tight no leaks detected.

 

What year? '04+ have noisey cam phasers, header changes could louden the sound some.

 

its a 2001 4.6

 

Well that rules out cam phasers.

 

"The bolts are tight?" But are the header flanges seated? Are they warped? None of the welds have pin holes? Gaskets didn't get pinched?

Just some other stuff to look at. And I know you said no leaks detected. These are just somethings that have happened to me when I have put headers in.

 

I have an 01 5.4 with pace setters and it makes a ticking sound too and drives me nuts! maybe it's just how they are.. did you ever find anything out??

 

have you tried replacing header gaskets? i run upright headers in my mud truck and ive replaced the header gaskets a few times and gone back just to check the header bolts to see how tight they were and sometime they might wiggle loose. but try your gaskets and header bolts. you cant set and forget when you have headers.

 

I got the pacesetter Lts and on my drivers side I can hear a tick since putting them on there, its not the fuel injector tick but a new one that showed up after the install. My bolts are tight and gaskets are new, maybe with the thinner material used on the pipes it allows more chatter through? I haven't checked on pass side, but will today, seems if its normal on one side why not the other?

 

I think the pacesetters are just cheap what do you expect for 150 from summit lol oh and my collector flange is starting to bend. I was looking at other headers edlebrocks have bigger primary tube diameters and thicker gauge steel.

 

I have an 03 5.4 and have the OBX L-Ts. I have noticed the louder valve train noise as well. I'm thinking the tubes give it some sort of resonate chamber or something compared to the manifolds or something.

I'll admit I have fought several leaks since in stalling a completely new system (Manifolds - tailpipes). It's all welded now, new donuts on the OBXs, and all seems to be well.

I posted a long time ago a method I used to find leaks. I stuff my leaf blower in a tailpipe and climb around under the truck with a squirt bottle & soapy water.
It sounds odd I know but it works!

 

I've always noticed this noise in headers, just how they are is my opinion. You should hear my big block Ford with 2" primaries long tube and dual 3" Spintech mufflers, still hear the tick. I'd say that's how they are and leave it like that. Put a long screwdriver to your ear and valve cover to hear the valves better if any problems.

 

yea before i put my pace setters on my machanic warned me and said he had not heard a set of long tubes that sisnt sound like they leak, but i know i need some new gaskets or re tightned my bolt,