ok please tell me why the manifold would have anything to do with clicking...the lifters sound resonable, but the manifolds?

It'* the damndest thing. A manifold leak, especially one right next to the head, can produce a metallic tap or click that sounds just like a sticking lifter. My first one was on a 350 Chevy truck. If I hadn't fixed it myself, I wouldn't have believed it. Some exhaust leaks will sound like a high-pitched whistle.

A lot of the suggestions to fixing problems while trying to diagnose it here are based on members experiences and in Don'* case...he'* experienced a lot.

Sometimes it'* a guess, sometimes it'* a part of the past tapping us on the shoulder.

True its hard to assess a noise without hearing it but past experience means a lot.

Sometimes it is possible to isolate sounds using a stethoscope and a long piece of wood or even a piece of wood by itself. Hold one end against the suspect part or location to get its vibration moving up the dowel and put the other end against your ear.