When this engine is "cold" at startup it sounds fine. When it reaches operating temperature though there is a ticking from the engine. It is most prominent in the 2500-3500rpm range, and the exhaust as well as the general engine sound drowns it out higher than that. The engine has always had it, before and after a valve lash adjustment. Granted it was my first time doing one so making a shepherd's pie of it is a definite possibility. I have no idea what rod knock is supposed to sound like. Compression is even and it spun the rollers at what the tuner wanted to see for the bolt ons it has.

 

You could have an exhaust leak at the exhaust manifold gasket.