Forum Discussion

Explorer

Nov 13, 2014

Lifter noise vs cracked manifold noise

I have a 1994 Holiday Rambler with a Ford 460 V8. I recently completed a 2,600 mile return trip to Texas and had what I thought was a bad lifter for the last 1,000 miles. It’d be quiet while the engine was cold but as it warmed up it would begin to clatter. I’ve had bad lifters in cars before and I assumed that’s what was causing the noise. Then I read another thread where the person wrote about having a cracked manifold on his 1996 Ford 460 V8 that made a clacking noise. Would anyone who’s had a cracked manifold on a 460 Ford care to comment on my lifter noise vs cracked manifold noise query? Could one be mistaken for the other? Currently, my rigs in temporary storage while I spend November house-sitting for a friend who’s traveling.

Steve

Class A

13 Replies

ScottG
Nomad
Nov 13, 2014
Depending on the leak, those two sounds can be VERY similar.
You can get a cheap mechanics stethoscope or even use a long screw driver held against your ear to listen closely to the noise at each exhaust port and intake runner.
path1
Explorer
Nov 13, 2014
Next time you start it, feel around with your hand before it gets to hot. If a cracked manifold you might be able to feel air coming out on your hand.
K_Charles
Explorer
Nov 13, 2014
Almost anyone with an old ford V8 knows what an exhaust manifold leak sound like. I have had a small leak on my '04 V10 for a few years now. Some day I may fix it.... or I may not.