So after a few more miles after the prislone addition... the ticking stops completely for a minute at idle then slowly gets back up to speed. Then slowed down to a tick with long pause whereas before it was rhythmic with the idle. Also stops with higher rpm,.. hoping this is an indicator of lifters freeing up? Thoughts!?

 

What happened to me often? Each time I add something, all sorts of lube, additives and oil, its just a feeling that something worked. But not. Depending where you are stopped, wind direction, a diesel ford beside you, rolled up window, sound will vary but its there. Totally, you wont hear it when you are above 1700 rpm or cruising on the highway but once you start slowing down, the tick seems caught up with you and at times louder. I just really hope yours is a different tick.

 

You need to be listening for the sound in your relatively quite driveway pretty much every day. It's a science experiment, keep your variables to a minimum.

If the sound is becoming more intermittent then you may be making headway, but even if it's a simple blocked lifter, it may take awhile to clean out, if it ever does.

 

Ha, small world. I am also 37 and in Portland, ME. And I also have learned more about engines in the last year than in my previous 36 combined.

 

Nice! Have you found a good mechanic??

 

If the tick is a clogged rocker in will never clear out unless you get in there and clean it out.