Some good news! The popping sound IS made by the bad gasket between the exhaust pipe and manifold(? I really have to find out what all of those are called) and I know why my wipers aren't working very good. When I put my hand up to the port(if that's what it is called) that the vacuum wiper hose is connected to, I feel some air, just like I do at the exhaust gasket. But I can't track where it is coming from. I also feel air in the space between the carb and fan, don't know if it is from the fan or not.
