i just put on a set of jba headers and it seem like i can hear the lifters clatter more now that they are on. is this normal or would a slight exhaust leak be more likely? it the sound isn't very loud but it is a tick,tick,tick sound, but it sounds like it is coming from the lifter area. its an 06' 3.0 with 4,000 miles on it. oh and by the way...... bolt on my *** that was the hardest header install i've ever done! would have been much easier to do if the y-pipe fit up to the headers better...... not even close!!!!! ugh!!!

 

The JBAs are made of thick wall tubing and they are much quieter than the average aftermarket headers. You have an exhaust leak, either at the head or at the y-pipe.

 

ugh great! i've already been at trying to get these headers right now for about 8 hours. guess i got to crawl back under it again!

 

I disagree. I installed headers about a month ago and noticed the same exact noise. It had me worried, just as you are. But I had many people tag along with me, and had their diagnosis. Also, went to a local exhaust shop (checking for exhaust leaks is a free service) and had them check it out. Everyones opinion was the same. NO exhaust leaks. With the after market headers you do notice more valve chatter. You would know if you had an exhaust leak. Next time you're in the truck, take notice how the noise doesn't increase as the rpm's increase. It is solely dependent upon whether it's under load. Exhaust leaks would get louder as rpms increase.

p.s. I just created this account solely to respond to this... I know how frustrating that can be after you spent so long working on it and thinking you did a poor job. No worries. If you're still worried though, swing by an exhaust shop.. they should check it for free!

 

hey thanks..... that makes me feel special but your answer still makes me think about it. it does speed up when i increase the rpm's but it dosen't get louder it stays the same. like if i'm driving up next to a wall on the drivers side i can hear the noise but its not very loud, and like i said the loudness dosn't increase under load it stays the same. does that sound about like the way yours is? i still need to retourqe everything this weekend since i just put them on a few days ago but your right it just doesn't sound like an exhaust leak too me and i heard too many on some of my other cars that i've owned!!!!

 

Right, right. Sounds just like mine. It did have me really worried at first.. but now I've grown accustom to the noise and satisfied to know it's not an exhaust leak. And yes, do re-torque it soon, some of those bolts do loosen themselves a little. Another thing I noticed at first was acceleration seemed.. spungy? That soon faded, as I think the computer readjusted to the new modification. Now I'm enjoying the added power.
Just curious, do you have a auto or manual?

 

my buddies 3.0 does the same thing. r u guys sure its not the injectors clicking louder cuz more fuel is requierd? just a thought. oh my 4.0 sounds like that when im next to a wall or curb. i think its the injectors.

 

When I installed my JBAs, I was amazed that they were so quiet. Most aftermarket headers are made of much thinner walled tubing and allow exhaust noise to pass through them into the engine compartment. This sounds like a mild to moderate ticking noise. Mine are almost as quiet as the factory cast iron manifolds.

My Ranger has a 4.0L and that may make a difference in the noise. The later 3.0L JBAs have a revised shape that brings some of the tubes up higher into the engine bay and that may make whatever noise there is more noticeable. By contrast, the 4.0L headers are tucked into the small available below the heads beween the block and the frame rails.

I don't buy the idea of increased "lifter clatter" or "valve clatter" due to the installation of headers, though. As mentioned above, the tick that you are hearing is probably the exhaust bark emanating through the tubing walls.

Retorquing the headers a couple of times after they have been heat cycled is a good idea. It may help prevent future leaks.

 

i've got a manual 3.0. i like the added power from the headers!!!! it made quite a difference is sound and performance. can't wait till the sct livewire comes out. gonna get one from bama chips as soon as its available.

 

The stock cast iron headers are much better at suppressing sounds. Once the new headers are installed, I didn't mean to make it sound as if they created more noise, you're simply hearing noises that were already there.. They are just more apparent now.