what i did today and a question as well

[1974ChevyC10]

today i went out and checked the torque convertor to flexplate bolts on my truck and i checked them,took them out and put them back in with some loc-tite on the threads to keep them from backing out just incase and it still makes the ticking noise.so now im thinking its one of three things
1).the collector gasket(s) are bad
2).i have a bent flexplate
3).i have a cracked flexplate

what would you say is the best way to proceed with this?
is there anything else i should look for-maybe a loose bellhousing to transmission bolt or something else im overlooking totally.help me out here please.