I bought an 85 F150 last October and ever since I bought it, it always made a distinct ticking noise, sometimes very loud upon how much gas you gave it. Higher rpms made it tick like crazy and even at an idle I can hear it a bit. It never really worried me until lately because it could be something in the engine itself. I have come to believe more and more that it might be an exhaust leak somewhere near the manifold because that's where the noise usually comes from and the exhaust lines are pretty rusted out. It might be the exhaust flange but who knows. Could it be a bad valve, heads, arms, blown head gasket, too thin oil for what it needs? There are so many options that I really can't narrow it down. I drive her everyday so there no way I can take the engine apart to see what's inside. Any suggestions would be awesome thanks.


here is a link to a video that shows the ticking.

Pay attention to 26-29 seconds

 

It does sound like an exhaust leak. It sounds different from a valve tick or lifter tick.

I would check for holes in the exhaust, or a gap between the manifold and exhaust flange. I know on my 85 with the 6 cylinder I had to put gaskets in it at least twice a year.

 

Look for black carbon marks on the manifold on heads.