Re: Ticking/tapping noise, 305 Chevy, Can't Figure it Out!
 

The walls of the fabricated covers extend all the way out to the outer edge of the mounting flange and have deeper slots for the bolts to fit through. They, as a result, provide more clearance inside. All that I have seen are also tall enough for Roller rockers.

Re: Ticking/tapping noise, 305 Chevy, Can't Figure it Out!
 

Good minds and experience coming into play on this and I enjoyed reading as it played out. R-O-M, thanks for following through and telling us the results. I was betting on something more "internal" and I'm glad it wasn't. You did a nice job cleaning up that engine judging by the pictures.