So now I feel a little silly because I knew this was a newbie question to begin with. I used the tube and ear method and I'm pretty sure I isolated the ticking to the injectors. In fact, I didn't even need the tube because when I touched the fuel pressure regulator with my finger I can feel the ticking. It was a little disconcerting hearing that for the first time through the tube though, it sounds like something knocking which is kinda scary! I also put the tube on the valve cover and couldn't hear the ticking.

The part where I can feel the ticking is circled in green.

I'm still kinda curious why I never noticed this ticking before. I could of sworn it wasn't there before. Oh well, thanks guys.

all the 3.slo's i've heard (all 88's and 89's) have ticked.
Tho mine is by far the quietest, (has the least mileage)... my cousin put the lucas oil in his and it quieted right down, not perfect but alot better than before...

What you have circled looks like the fuel pressure regulator and it's probably ticking because the fuel injectors are causing fuel to slam against it when they close (kind of like water hammer). Some cars have fuel pulsation dampners that are installed to soften the pulsing of fuel when the injectors close. I'm not sure if the 3.0 has one installed (it doesn't sound like it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />) but the noise is normal.

Cool - easy ones are best. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The sound is completely normal.

If you never heard it before, I would check your insulation, particularly the boot around the steering shaft inside the truck. Whenever mine falls away (regularly), I hear all sorts of things..........

Thanks Joe, I'll check the insulation.