alright thats it i give up.

[NOMAD]

cruising on the hwy is around 3000 rpm for as long as you like, doesn't seem to make a difference. But I haven't changes lifters.

Just changing lifters is easy, depending on what your idea of easy is. Sure, you have a take a few things off but it's pretty easy to remember what is what and how it all goes back.

I'll probably change my lifters in the future if i get back into the engine, but a "little" tick isn't a huge worry, a "lot" of tick should probably be taken care of.

[SpecM]

-Check the chain tensioners, but I unless its a "rattle", just a "tick", its probably just the lifters. Try some Lucas oil treatment. Its oil presure in a bottle.

[Hick]

its not hard to replace them, just that they are $20+ each, and there are 16 of them.