Need some help with a loud ticking noise from top end of engine, here is the deal. When first started up there is a loud ticking noise and does not go away till engine reaches near operating temp. The engine also has a very noticable loss of power and will barely pull hills(probobly due to knock retard) but after ticking quits the engine runs perfect. I have inspected valvetrain for anything broken or loose and everything looks good. I was thinking maybe a lifter noise so i removed the lifters from the suspected side and found that i could not compress the plungers at all as if they were stuck. I am not sure if this is normal and i still have to inspect the other 4 lifters but i thought that the plungers were supposed to move freely when there is no oil pressure applied. Please let me know if this could be a possible cause of noise or if that is normal lifter operation. Thanks