Well, I tightened up the manifold and exhaust-to-manifold bolts, and still get the loud ticking when accelerating. If it were worn valve adjustment screws, wouldn't the noise be loud all the time? Is it as easy as taking the valve cover off to check the condition of those screws? I also noticed a very slight wetting around the edge of the valve cover...could be a bad valve cover gasket, but would that cause (or allow to be heard) the loud ticking?

Stillwater, MN
'94 Toyota Pickup DLX 4x4 - 188,xxx
'89 Dodge Raider 4x4 - 334,xxx and still kickin.