Clicking / Ticking Noise - Diagnostic Help!

[72warbonnet]

Problem: LT5 has just recently developed a pronounced "ticking" or "clicking" sound/noise that seems (via "stethescope") to be coming from under the right-side cam cover.

Facts: '95 stock LT5 (with Haibeck chip) at 13,500 miles. Just changed oil (Mobile-1, 5-w-30) and oil level shows fine at rest. One semi-long (and semi-fast!) trip since oil change. Noticed noise at the end of that trip (may or may not be related to the oil change...) Noise exists at start-up and remains when warm. Increases proportional to RPMs.

Question: From what I've read, it might be a collapsed lifter?? Other likely options and other recommended diagnostic checks??

THANKS!
Bill

[Scrrem]

Bill, Are you sure the noise is coming from under the cam cover? Reason I ask is, Jim Voter had an issue with his 90 a while back and it turned out to to be a crack in the air tubes on the stock exhaust manifold. It sounded like a ticking noise too but after Mark H. started feeling around, found the cracked air tube. Something worth checking. I have always used 10W-40 in my Z, 5W-30 seems a bit light for me. JMHO.
Rich