Greg,
Had a leak in my exhaust system and never backfired, crawl around your car when it is running and see if it is the exhaust. My 55 made a pulsating vibrating sound which took me a while to figure out:the gen strap was loose and the gen wobbled on the stand at certain rpms (!).
You should be able to track the noise down, use a stethoscope or a tube to the ear, can help pinpoint.
Of course it is hard to recommend anything online not hearing what the noise is.
Hi pitched, low pitched, knocking, vibrating...?
good luck
Matt