My car is stored for the winter. started it up for the first time in 3 weeks. the right side of the motor was ticking (Tapping) like hell until i reved it up a couple of times.
could it be a lifter or valve?

This is troublesome. The wife hates the car!
say no more!

 

could it have just needed a little while for the oil to get moving?

 

Yeah, it would be a shame to have to get rid of the wife *grin*...

 

Probably one of the lifters is a little weak and the valve on that lifter was open and pushed the oil out over the 3 weeks it was sitting there, causing the problem you had. If you start it up again in a couple days and its ok, I wouldnt worry too much about it.