Hello I have a 1996 f150 5 speed manual with a 300 i6 in it and I have a ticking noise , I'm almost positive that it's not a lifter but i am not sure it only happens at an idle and as soon as the truck hits about 1000 Rpms it disappears also as well the ticking is louder under neath the truck versus from above if anybody has any ideas on what it possibly could be please let me know

 

Whats the oil pressure like ? are you using a stethascope to pinpoint ?

 

Well the oil pressure seems normal and I used the ol screwdriver test and I didn't here anything coming from the valve cover I tried it on the oil pan aswell as the bell housing on the bell housing and it sounded fine

 

Exhaust manifold?

 

What do you mean exactly

 

Exhaust leak from the manifold will 'tick'.

 

Checks for burnt gasket or slim cracks around the manifold. Or it could be a wrist pin noise I have a 86 with the same noise and I've guessed it to be wrist pin

 

The exhaust manifolds on these trucks are notorious for developing cracks and therefore giving off that distinctive 'ticking' sound. You'd SWEAR it's an internal engine sound but 99 times out of 100 it's the manifold. I'm on my 3rd set @ 240,000 miles on mine!