Finally got a chance to get out on the water this weekend - yes, pretty sad that it is the end of July before I finally splashed it, but life (work) has been busy and the river and many local lakes have been screwed up from all the rain. I had just replaced the fuel system and impeller, and since I didn't really have a chance to water test it at home, I went pretty easy on it this weekend. Another reason is that it seems to have developed a weird "chirp" that seems to be coming from the exhaust on the starboard side of the engine. It seems to be in time with the exhaust pulse, and it only seems to be evident at idle.

This sound was not apparent when I ran it last year, or least I don't recall hearing it. I did have some fuel delivery issues last year, and my fear now is that I could have done something to "hurt" the engine. Wondering if I could have an exhaust valve or head gasket going away. Have not run a compression check or leakdown on that bank yet. Replaced header gaskets this spring, and did not see any obvious visible damage (i.e. tuliping) to the exhaust valves.

Any ideas?

I would start with a compression and leak down test. I recently traced a chirp sound to a bad roller lifter. Ended up replacing cam, lifters, rockers, etc just to make sure everything was 100%.

Good luck!

Wow, hope not! Strange that it would make that sound rather than the usual tick. Were you lofting the lifter on the cam lobe? I'm running Morel hyd lifters in this one with Manton pushrods and Scorpion lifters. I get the usual lifter noise that is associated with the Morels when the oil is cold, but it goes away when the oil warms up.

I guess you could almost describe this sound as a squeak in addition to a chirp. I have heard similar sounds coming from the headers on race cars. Maybe I need to try to get a video of the sound.

Valve guide

Valve guide doing what - leaking, seizing?

Exhaust leaks can make strange noises as well.

My bet is the exhaust tips. The metal flapper in my Corsa tips will make the sound you are describing from time to time....I read others that have had the same sound.

bud,maybe you have a bird nest in the pipe.chirp chirp.

Lounge, that is a valid suggestion, but I have the big Corsa tips with the baffles and the salisbury flaps on the ends. They don't have the internal baffles that swivel and clank.

I guess I'm just going to have to do some investigating. I'll start with a compression check on the starboard bank, followed by a leakdown.