I have a friend whose having troubles with his 350

[baller760]

This guy I work with bought an 89 GMC Jimmy, or Chevy Blazer K5 for $1000 not too long ago. It's got a 350 in it and he knows he has an exhaust leak on the drivers side header to mid pipe flange area. He just recently replaced the flange gasket but it still leaks there I guess from what he told me. Also, when he accelerates you hear this really really loud ticking noise coming from the motor. I told him it might be a lifter but I thought that it would be ticking all the time if it was a bad lifter. He's not really a engine know-how kinda guy and he doesn't exactly have any real money to give it to a Chevy specialist and pay $1000 or whatever for a new lifter and labor. I just want to know what you guys think this ticking noise is (only on acceleration, I didn't hear anything when idling) so I can tell him and we can eliminate the problem. I told him to just buy a new 350 shortblock for like $1500 or however cheap those things are nowadays and drop it in but he says he doesn't really have that extra amount of cash to play with.

 

[SHADOWII]

yep,....

sounds like an exhaust leak! If the valve lifter or rocker is making a tapping sound, that was always typical of the chevy #1 cylinder. but it shouldn't be loud,unless it has a collapsed lifter, at which point it would be a good idea to repair/replace it. for the exhaust leak, he could try doubling up the gasket if the surface is that warped.

 

[usetaboost]

My buddy has a k5 about that year. Has the same exhaust leak. Check the manifold and see if it is cracked. Wouldn't be surprised.