Could be, there may be a big one, there is a lot of moving air in the engine compartment, but the exhaust has a lot of holes so I can't tell. I think you may be on to something. It runs and accelerates fine, but at that certain point it makes popping sounds, and that seems very similar to what you just said. I'll get some gaskets and put them on, then see if that makes a difference. That could also be why my windshield wipers are extremely slow, where as when I first started my truck they worked fine.
