Help me

Ok about 5 days ago my LO3 engine started with a sound that is about half the rpm speed I thought it may be a rocker or some thing under the valve cover ever thing was tight under it. The sound comes from around the second cylinder in the driver side. I removed the valve cover and it was about half as loud as it was before the cover was removed and after it was replaced it is a little quieter than before. Before the valve cover was removed I could put a piece of wood on it and feel it hitting but not any more. Used an automotive theta scope and listened to the cover it sounds a little rougher than the passage side the oil pan sounds about like the drive side valve cover a little rough but not extremely bad. What could it be I am thinking a wrist pin because when under the car you can not hear it as loud as when you are above the motor or maybe a rod? Either way the oil I changed after 600miles was almost black so I put in fresh and will change it ever 500 miles till it stops or the motor stops ticking. The oil presser when driving is about 40 and I can not hear the ticking but that probably is because I am driving around. When it is at idle I have the ticking and it gets louder in about a 2 second time after my oil presser drops to 25ish but I can hear the ticking even at idle when oil presser is around 35 so and suggestions on what to do to try and fix the problem before it breaks or I have the time to pull it out. I know that the only way to know for sure is to take it apart but that will be when I have time and money. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all

 

any motor changes recently? new valve covers, new timing chain, anything like that?

so you say you removed the drivers side valve cover, with motor running, and everything was moving alright? no broken springs, no stationary rockers, anything like that? All stock parts under there?

how many miles on the motor?

dirty oil, PCV is ok? maybe replace that just for good measure.

burning any oil at all?

I'd say, add some diesel fuel to your oil, or some "crankcase flush" or something like that. Drive it around *HARD* for a day. Then change out the oil. Maybe cut open the filter and dig around in there, pay attention to a sheen in the oil, or a gritty feeling.

 

95400 on the motor oil dirty but no metal in it looked sludgy in the valve cover cleaned it some and it is all stock from air element down to the oil pan and oly burns oil for a min or less after the first start of the day

 

it is a lifter i plan on changing the motor early next year so how hard is it ro chang the lifters

 

it's not the lifters.
Or if it is, replacing them, and only them, won't fix your problem. I'd put money on it.
Why do you think it's the lifters anyway?