Well, it is not a loud noise, and it is DEFINETLY a tick, coming from the driver's side.

It isn't super loud and I have perfect oil pressure so you can rule rod knock out.

Should I just pull the valve cover and check for maybe a loose rocker arm?

If not, than it is most likely a lifter...and how hard are those to change? Do you just have to pop off the intake, take off the rocker arms, pull pushrods, and then take them out, replace, and reverse?

I kow that is overly simplified, but still....

Any other methods of detection, I tried using a stethoscop but that didn't really help other than making the noise louder... lol

 

Anyone? Anybody?

 

"Anyone? Anybody?"

Not a lot to go on. You sure it's not an exhaust leak / header gasket?

If not, pull the valve cover and relash your rockers - that's not too big a project to rule something out. - JM.

 

Yea, might be an exhaust leak(but if not).......Start the car for a minute or two to make sure that the lifters are fully pumped from oil pressure, then, take the valve covers off, then by turning the motor over, Bring "each" set of rockers (one set at a time) to their relaxed position(make them even) then push very hard against the pushrod side of each rocker...if one(or any) of your lifters is "really" bad you MAY be able to feel some softness(spongy) when you push...there should be NO give at all from lifters on a motor that was just running and then turned off.......Many times this will catch a bad lifter..........and yes, "removing" the lifters goes just like you mentioned, but just make sure to adjust your rockers correctly......(if your unaware)there are several way to do this.......my favorite method (with the intake off) is setting them one cylinder at a time...simply rotate the motor over (clockwise),when your exhaust lifter begins to open from it's lowest point(the base circle of the cam) then adjust your INTAKE rocker to zero lash, and then a half turn preload(done)......next, rotate the motor clockwise again and watch your intake lifter go up past full lift, and when it's "almost" all the way down, then adjust your EXHAUST rocker to zero lash, and then a half turn preload(done)........Then on to the next cylinder, in any order you like..........

 

Sounds good you guys.

Well, I forgot to mention that it wasn't an exhaust leak and I was sure of it.

Second, I forgot to mention I had a ATV accident while racing and was in the hospital, then Vicodin (hence the awkward posts...seriously, I am sorry)

I found out that my intake elbow where it meets up with the throttle body was torn and causing a HUGE vacuum leak, and when it was plugged, the noice went away completely. I took off the valve covers and no noise.

Sorry for the trouble