@PNW_IT_Guy
Ticking may be caused by lifter preload being too tight or loose. Preload is a function of push rod length on stock LS engines.
I'll try to explain how to set LS engine lifter preload on a stock engine.
First you need to measure a pushrod. I have a friend with dial calipers that measure up to 8".
I removed a rocker arm, then the pushrod, that was on the base circle of the cam. You can tell it's on the base circle because it feels a little loose when you grab the rocker arm tip and move it side to side. If it's on a ramp of the lobe it will be tight and not wiggle. When on a base circle it will wiggle.
Measure it. Mine was 7.388" long. I assumed the other 15 were too.
Now reinstall the pushrod. Reinstall the rocker arm. Tighten the hold down bolt until it is just finger tight (zero lash). Now, using a torque wrench, count the number of turns it takes to reach 22 ft lbs. If less than 3/4 turn pushrod is too short. If more than 1 1/4 turns pushrod is too long.
Check the preload of all 16 this way. Write down the # of turns for each. Some rockers will be tight because they are on a ramp of the camshaft. After checking all the loose ones using this method bar the engine crankshaft over around 270* to 360* degrees.
Now, many rocker arms that had been tight will be loose because they are now on the base circle. Now loosen those hold down bolts and retighten it until finger tight (zero lash) then check and record how many turns it takes to reach 22 ft lbs. Again, If less than 3/4 turn? pushrod is too short. If more than 1 1/4 turns? pushrod is too long.
Keep doing this procedure until you've recorded the # of turns it takes for all 16 valves.
With one of my LS engines only 2 of the 16 lifters had preload that fell in the 3/4 to 1 1/4 turn range, the other 14 took more than 1 1/4 turns and needed a shorter pushrod, either 7.350" or 7.375" to get them in the correct preload range.
LS pushrods can be purchased in many lengths from many sources for <$10 each.
