I am trying to find the problem with my car, I have a tr 230/224 cam, hardened pushrods, stage two heads from total engine airflow, slp longtubes. I accidently ran the car about a quart and 1/2 low, and I noticed a ticking after racing someone. The ticking isnt very loud and it isnt harsh, everyone I have asked to listen to it says it has to be in the vavletrain. So I pulled the valve covers off and checked the pushrods as well as the rockers everything is fine. So that leaves the lifters, would one of the lifters be a possibility? Possibility a collapsed, or malfunctioning lifter? thanks any advise is appreciated.

 

It could just be a bad lifter.

 

Did u do all these mods at the same time? When u put those headers on did u begin to hear the noise? If you started hearing it after you installed the headers it's just piston slap. Welcome to the club. The ticking noise drives me crazy.