There has been a constant ticking in the upper end of my 318, being a former chevy guy I had thought it was just the rockers needing adjusted. However, upon more research I found out that it can't really be the rockers. Do ya'll have any ideas on where the ticking could be coming from?

 

usually a tick in the top end is a lifter. most older trucks tick for a couple seconds after start up until oil starts flowing. have you checked the oil level?

 

Low oil level or too low a viscosity oil are the first possibilities. It could also be a bad rocker, bent push rod, or collapsed lifter.

 

I also just discovered a head gasket leak, how hard/ how long would you say a job like this would take?