i need help figuring out whats making a ticking noise in my build
cant find what the problem is but its bothering me

rich tuned it and he said the engine sounded good. got it tuned with no problems
and ive been driving it for about 1600 miles after tune

ticking noise is coming from timing gear area when i put the stethoscope to the 10mm bolts on timing gear cover i can hear it very good

i readjusted the valve lash wice already and set it almost to minimum specs
timing belt cover is also ot touching the gears anymore
there no oil leaks from that area also
head had very slightly bent valves when i bought it they would still seal up at valve seats but i could see maybe a 1/4 mm gap on flat surface
got nev valves and everything else except valve guides.
new valves also seal good

 

If it's in the timing area it could be a few things- like a bad pulley, tensioner or, waterpump.

 

maybe tensioner?