BD Diesel · Tech Blog

5.7L Hemi: The Complete Guide for Truck Owners

Broken studs, exhaust leaks, the infamous tick, MDS lifter notes, cam tips, and the manifold fixes that make these engines last. Where the noise comes from, what to replace proactively, torque specs, and the BD parts that solve the most common drivability complaints.

Quick Summary: Why Hemis tick • How manifold warp breaks studs • MDS roller lifter realities • Cam/lifter best practices • Exact fitment for DS “Classic” vs DT “New Body” • Torque values & sequence • BD’s thicker-casting manifolds with longer hardware & spacers (50-state legal).
BD 5.7L Hemi Exhaust Manifold Kit

Uniform wall thickness + smarter hardware = clamp load that lasts.

Engine Snapshot & Years

The 5.7L Hemi V8 spans Ram 1500/2500/3500 trucks across multiple generations and SUVs (Durango, Grand Cherokee). Across these years, the basic recipe stays the same: strong low-rpm torque, cylinder deactivation (MDS) on many trims, and heat cycles that are brutal on exhaust joints. Two body codes matter for fitment:

  • DS “Classic” (2009–2024) — legacy 1500 plus HD trucks in key year ranges.
  • DT “New Body” (2019–2024) — the newer 1500 platform; different manifold kit.

Reference: Ram/Mopar for year/trim specifics. For official parts catalogs, see Mopar. Community experiences: RamForum.

Where the Hemi “Tick” Comes From

If your Hemi sounds like a sewing machine on cold start, you’re probably hearing an exhaust leak—not internal engine death. Thin, uneven manifold castings expand and contract every heat cycle. Short fasteners concentrate stress at the ends, studs snap, a gap opens, and you get the tick. It often quiets as the engine warms and metals expand, then returns the next morning.

Common symptoms
  • Tick that’s loudest cold, near the firewall
  • Black soot at the manifold/head seam
  • Burnt smell & slight fuel economy drop
  • Occasional O2/trim oddities from fresh air dilution
What not to do
  • Don’t double-gasket a warped manifold
  • Don’t reuse short/heat-soaked hardware
  • Don’t mount the heat shield into the joint

Exhaust Studs, Warpage & The BD Manifold Fix

BD’s 5.7L Hemi manifold kits attack the root causes: high-silicon ductile iron with uniform wall thickness to resist warp, longer bolts with spacers to reduce bending stress and keep clamp load through heat cycles, machined faces for a flat, repeatable seal, and independent heat-shield bosses so the shield never tugs on your joint.

Shop the lineup

Need one side only? Left/Driver PN 1041465 · Right/Passenger PN 1041464 (DS) or 1041469 (DT). Browse all options: BD Hemi Exhaust Manifolds.

MDS & Lifter/Cam Tips (What Owners Should Know)

Many Hemis use MDS (cylinder deactivation) that collapses select lifters under light load. Over time, any valvetrain that cycles like this can be sensitive to oil quality, pressure, and long idle/heat. Real-world shop pattern: lifter roller wear that begins as a faint internal tick and, if ignored, can mark the cam.

Owner-level best practices
  • Use the manufacturer-specified oil grade & service interval
  • Avoid extensive idling/heat soak when possible
  • Use Tow/Haul with loads to reduce constant MDS cycling
  • If a valve-train tick persists warm, diagnose before it snowballs
When replacing manifolds
  • Inspect plugs & boots (Hemi uses two per cylinder on many years)
  • Check upstream O2 harnesses disturbed during tear-down
  • Verify gasket alignment; install dry on clean, flat faces

Torque Specs & Proper Sequence

Start on a cold engine. Clean both mating faces. Hand-start all bolts with spacers, then torque using the center-out, criss-cross pattern in the BD instructions.

Manifold bolts (M8) Torque to 25 N·m (18 ft-lb)
Heat shield fasteners (M6) Torque to 10 N·m (89 in-lb)
Bolt count Earlier engines may use 8–9 per bank; later up to 10. Use every available hole.

After the first full heat cycle and cool-down, re-check fasteners. This “set” pass keeps the tick gone.

Which Kit Fits My Truck?

DT (2019–2024) + Durango/Grand Cherokee

Use PN 1041467.
Does not fit DS “Classic”.

DS “Classic” (2009–2024) + 2500/3500 (select)

Use PN 1041463.
Does not fit 2019+ DT New Body.

Pro Tips for Long-Term Reliability

  • Soak hardware overnight before removal; “tighten slightly” then back out on stubborn studs
  • Chase block threads & blow out debris so torque equals clamp load
  • Straight-edge the head face if a leak returns early; fix irregularities before reassembly
  • Mount the shield to its bosses, not the joint—BD added independent mounts for this reason
Install, Warranty & Legal
  • Install time: ~5 hours 12 minutes typical
  • Warranty: Parts 36 months / 75,000 miles
  • Legal: 50-State Legal · CARB EO D-553-30 · SEMA Cert SC-BDD01-0138

FAQ + Resources

Is the tick always an exhaust leak?
Not always. Most truck-side ticks we hear are leaks, but persistent warm tick with no soot can be valvetrain. Diagnose early.

Do I need new gaskets?
Yes—BD kits include gaskets and hardware sized for the longer, spacer-backed fasteners.

Can I reuse factory heat-shield mounts?
BD manifolds add independent bosses so the shield won’t tug on the joint. Use those.

Helpful links
Ready to silence the tick for good? Pick your kit: PN 1041463 (DS/HD) · PN 1041467 (DT) — or browse all BD Hemi Manifolds.

Notes: Always verify year/trim fitment and follow the BD installation manual for your bolt count and torque sequence. If you suspect a valvetrain tick, get it diagnosed—catching a roller early protects the cam.