absolutely frustrated

Yes it increases with the rpm

 

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The gasket is new, but that doesn't mean it's not an exhaust leak. I like the hose idea, I tryed the long screw driver trick but could not find the tick. I'll give the hose a try tonight

 

I like the stethoscope idea, I'll pick one up on my way home. The heads are duall spring aluminum heads. I forget the brand. I brought them from a shop in north Carolina. They machined and assembled in house. The ignition and wire's are MSD and new, doubt it's spark but I'll ckeck.

 

Try this to rule out valve train as the source of your tick...
Determine which side the noise is on...Pull the rocker cover on that side. With the engine at idle...Put your finger on the tip of each rocker (Over the valve tip) If one of em is ticking...You will feel the tap. If they are all smooth feeling ( They should be.No tap at all) its not valve train on that side of engine.

 

put your car on a lift start it up and look underneath it feel around the exhaust before it gets hot if you feel air escaping you have a leak if it increases with rpm it is probably valve train related the tapping method mentioned is a good idea so is the other ideas listed