If the retainer nuts are still tight? I heard some ticking last night and figured a retainer nut came off, because this happens every once in a blue moon with LS heads, but they all seem to be secure. What kinda scares me is the ticking isn't RIGHT under the valve cover, but sounds like it's a tiny bit down more. Can the valve adjustment have been thrown off without thosen uts coming loose?

 

Yeh if the nuts came loose I would definitly do a valve adjustment.

 

None came loose, that's why I was wondering if the valve adjustment could have still been thrown off.