hi all. i have a 2002 150 4.2 5spd with 83,xxx miles.ive had it for about 8 months now. in the last month or so it has developed a tick that has gotten worse and is rpm dependent.it starts after a bit after i start it. it sounds like its comin from the rear left of the motor. it usually dose it at and off of idle with little to no load. if i cruse at say 15 mph in 2nd u can hear it inside the cab with no radio. when i hit a bit of a hill and load it a little with no more throttle it stops until it gets back on flat ground. cant really hear it at cruise speeds. oil pressure is good but dont have a manual gauge to check. i have been doin some lookin around on the net and think its one of 3 things, leaking exhuast manifold, loose plug, or a sticky lifter. what do you guys think?

 

i worked on one this summer making the same noise and it was the exhaust bolt in the rear of the manifold had worked itsway loose.

 

im gonna start lookin at it closer this weekend (in the army so dont have a garage) at a buddies place. hopefully thats all it is