Ok, So I fully rebuilt the d16 myself, (I am a technician at a Ford stealership).
I just got the engine back in the car, and started it up, and had a valve tick so I thought. Adjusted the valves 5 times now cold, but noise is still there. did some research, and found that it could be my LMA's or my timing belt tensioner as well. Listening with a stethoscope, I can mainly hear it on 2-3 so I thought. Then found the t-belt tensioner suggestions, so checked on t belt tensioner as well, and to me it seems like its the tensioner. When I drive the car, there really is no tick at idle, or when i am in a load at low rpms, but as soon as I let off tick, tick, tick... Just wondering how common it is to have a noise IDENTICAL to valve tick from a t-belt tensioner, or even LMA's. I am no perfect honda-tech, but this is my second d16 I have rebuilt, and have never had this issue before. (everything has been replaced, except head componenets, however I know how often faulty parts can be recieved.)

 

Ok, after work I replaced the tensioner, still same thing... my question for you guys now is, How would I diag LMA's? Should I replace all 4, or just 1 at a time? I have 3 that have obvious wear from the vtec rocker, and 1 doesnt have any wear... this d16 originally spun/ snapped a rod bearing, so it was starved of oil... also noise starts out bad when engine is cold, but gets "somewhat" better when warm. When cold tick is constant, at idle and well all the time, but when engine is warm, tick ONLY happens when above 3k. Any help GREATLY appreciated.

 

prolly LMAs, very common, not really a big deal unless they are ridiculously noisey

 

Deffinetly ridiculously noisy over 3k rpm

 

D series ones can be taken apart and cleaned, there are a couple DIY's and youtube videos about it, might as well give that a shot first.