Hi yall, I found this great Dodge Group and have been a Dodge Ram van owner for a while. I have had this motor rebuilt (318) and it has about 20M miles on it. I have noticed a slight knock that has gotten progressively worse over the past few months. First I thought maybe a lifter was acting up in the middle of the drivers side. Then thought it was a leaky exhaust manifold gasket. I checked the exhaust leaking and yes there is a slight pip, pip leak coming from the back cross- over pipe that looks like it goes to a mono feed to a smog type pump. This is a problem that could be fixed I think. There is also that solenoid that sits on top of the intake that has 2 nuts holding it down, that appears to have air coming "out". (wrong direction right?). Then near what seems like the center of the head exhaust air is spitting out of the valve cover. And what is with that weird hole that protrudes down below the middle of the intake mani in the center of the head (I'm a ford guy). That area seems a little airy too. Does the fact that pressure is built up in the valve area indicate a failing valve guide, broken valve or stem seal or?? This knock is really loud now, so much that I don't want to turn it over any more. And what I thought might be the old raspy exhaust leak has a more grinding tapping sound. The noise is coming from the top of the engine, sounds like within the head.
Thanks guys, this is my daily driver. Gotta get this sussed out and take my daughter to school every day.