Suddenly my 89 is making a loud tapping noise from the rear manifold when u rev her. Is there anyway to determin if it is the gasket or the manifold itself? also will it hurt the motor running it like this? I read the write up on replacing the studs in the stickies and sounds like a job and a half.

 

it's not the gasket, and time will only warp your manifolds more and more. the more you run it, the worse it will get. you can either find a good shop that won't bend you over, or memorize that write up. you said it's the rear bank? good luck if some of those need to be drilled out. tough work.

 

I got a better look at this today and I cant see any cracks in the manifold. When I stick my hands down by the rear manifold and rev engine I can feel it above the manifold but cant see where its coming from. Is there anything above the manifold like a egr hose that might be off?

 

NO, it's the frkin gasket. Think about it.

If it's a tapping sound near the manifold. It's the gasket, or studs that hold the manifold on. Take the time and take it apart and look for sure. Or have a pro look at it.

My rear manifold looked fine. BUT, 4 outta 6 studs were broke and just sitting on the manifold.

 

Thanks therealgoon9 for the response but this is really weird...
If I lay my hand parallel on top of the manifold pressing against the head and covering the studs and gasket then rev the engine the exhaust hits on top of my hand?
strange but it dont seem possible that it come from the manifold or gasket but you guys know more about this than me.

 

I'm almost a 100% that what your feeling is the exhaust that has traveled out of the top of the manifold and got redirected by the top of the head. Making it seem like it's flowing from a higher point. The head has a lip on it where the valve covers meet.

 

That makes sense I guess.

 

i got the same noise problem too but so far haven't found out where itcame from. the problem only happens while I am slowing down on the highway to a very slow speed. I keep hearing these damn click clicking clicking noises. I think it has something to do with my exhaust studs.