feyguy

I bought an 85 F150 last October and ever since I bought it, it always made a distinct ticking noise, sometimes very loud upon how much gas you gave it. Higher rpms made it tick like crazy and even at an idle I can hear it a bit. It never really worried me until lately because it could be something in the engine itself. I have come to believe more and more that it might be an exhaust leak somewhere near the manifold because that's where the noise usually comes from and the exhaust lines are pretty rusted out. It might be the exhaust flange but who knows. Could it be a bad valve, heads, arms, blown head gasket, too thin oil for what it needs? There are so many options that I really can't narrow it down. I drive her everyday so there no way I can take the engine apart to see what's inside. Any suggestions would be awesome thanks.

BellePlaineScrew

Sounds like a classic manifold leak....bad gasket or manifold is cracked. Look for carbon tracking on the head if possible or the manifold.