Ticking noise

Lets get a little closer!--2 EZ, inexpensive ways you can maybe pin down the origin of the racket. At least get closer. WATCH THE FAN AND BELTS-ALL MOVING PARTS. NO NEED TO GO TO THE "HORSE-SPITAL", OVER THIS! 1) Lets try a dowel, wooden yard stick, ax handle etc. Put it in various locations near the sound. Then put your ear to it, move it around, looking for the loudest spot. 2) 1/2-3/4 Heater hose (or garden hose) 2-3 feet long, Shove one end in your ear, the other use like a stethoscope. Check in behind your engine, anywhere you can probe, I really suspect this is rocker arm noise, so probe around on top of your valve cover, to see if I'm right. Send back your observations--The Medic