Uh oh..tick tick tick tick...please help.

[Hennyhog]

Hello All,
Finally got my 71' C-10 running strong and noticed about a week ago after getting on it merging into traffic a slight tick while at idle and low RPM's. I only drive the truck a few times per week and the next time I drove it I said to myself " Am I hearing things? Was this noise here before? Am I being overly worried about nothing?"

Well yesterday after work I just wanted to start it after not driving since Sunday and upon lifting the hood, I could hear a "tick tick tick..tick tick...tick tick tick..tick tick" Coming from the front of the drivers side valve cover. I looked around to see if a tie wrap or a the wrapper radiator hose was lightly touching the alternator or fan blade and that wasn't the case. As I manually opened the throttle to increase RPM's you couldn't hear it nearly as well or at all. Oil level is right on too BTW.

My guess it's a noise lifter or rocker arm? I do not want to drive it now until I get some advice on this matter and listen to what you guys have to say. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Henny