Mike,
You didn't say where the "sound" was coming from?
Is the "sound" coming from up near the head? You may have a blown head gasket and a simple compression test will show that. If you don't have a compression gauge, you may be able to feel around the head/manifold with your fingers (before it gets HOT) for that tell-tell "Pfitttt" sound. I've seen the head gaskets blown out on the left side and it sounds like it's a manifold gasket. If it is the head gasket, hopefully it is not by a water jacket. What is the condition of your oil?
How was the condition of the exhaust pipe where it connects to the manifold?
