V8S Cracked manifold?

[seb]

Has anyone suffered from one, and if so can you describe the symptoms? I've been trying to track the cause of an exhausty tapping when accelerating in a high gear with the engine under load. The noise isn't noticeable while the engine is cold. I've had all the manifold/exhaust gaskets replaced but it still ticks under load. It could be valve train but I'm convinced it's exhaust pipe related - unless the exhaust valve is sticking open on the firing stroke (but wouldn't that cause a backfire!). I had an engineer listen to the car yesterday and he wasn't too sure, thought it could be exhaust but wouldn't count out sticky cam lifter. The car is also popping and banging on the overrun which it's never done before. He did usefully point out a slight misfire, the two exhausts nearest the bulkhead reading 170 degrees with the others around 220 degrees.
MTIA Steve

[Paceracing]

Get a piece of rubber tubing, hold one end to your ear, and with the other end go around the manifold joints. It is pretty obvious when you find a leak!

Jas.

[keithyboy]

seb, I had similar symptoms to yours on my V8S, but the strip down revealed not only a slightly cracked e/manifold weld, but also a completely FUBAR'd cam as well! Little help I know - how many miles on your engine?

[seb]

Only around 7,000 since new engine (was 3 years ago though). I've only had the car for around 9 months.