2000 2.7 ticking issue

I have a 2.7 that ticks upon startup.This is a engine i bought and put in the car i put a pan gasket and timing cover gasket on it.
The engine has no sludge in it whatsoever(Shocking i know).The weird thing is that when it starts up if i shut it off and restart it the ticking sometimes goes away.
When it idles the ticking comes and goes.I really dont want to replace the lash adjusters without narrowing it down to those.I took out the primary tensioner to see if the o-ring was on it and it was.Oh yeah i also ran motor flush through it (thinking if maybe there was dirt in some adjusters it may clean out)also put lucas oil treatment in it,still no change.
Thinking maybe oil pump but can't be sure.Any thoughts or advise would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 2.7 that ticks upon startup.This is a engine i bought and put in the car i put a pan gasket and timing cover gasket on it.
The engine has no sludge in it whatsoever(Shocking i know).The weird thing is that when it starts up if i shut it off and restart it the ticking sometimes goes away.
When it idles the ticking comes and goes.I really dont want to replace the lash adjusters without narrowing it down to those.I took out the primary tensioner to see if the o-ring was on it and it was.Oh yeah i also ran motor flush through it (thinking if maybe there was dirt in some adjusters it may clean out)also put lucas oil treatment in it,still no change.
Thinking maybe oil pump but can't be sure.Any thoughts or advise would be greatly appreciated.

Have you checked the oil pressure with a accurate gauge? I would check oil pump for wear and also check pickup tube for crack.

Here is the Lash Adjuster (Tappet) Noise Chart for diagnoses out of a 2002 Intrepid Factory Service Manual but I imagine it should be same for a 2000 2.7 engine.

1- Engine oil level-- too high or too low. This may cause areated oil to enter the adjusters and cause them to be spongy. (Check and correct engine oil level)

2- Insufficient running time after rebuilding clyinder head. (Low speed running of up to 1 hour may be required to fully evacuate trapped air from the valve train system.During this time, turn engine off and let set for a few minutes before restarting. Repeat this several times after engine has reached normal operating temperature.)

3- Air trapped in lash adjuster (after 1 hour run time). (A- Check lash adjusters for sponginess while installed in clyinder head. Depress part of rocker arm over adjuster. Normal adjusters should feel very firm. Very spongy adjusters can be bottomed out easily.) (B- If lash adjuster(s) are still spomgy, replace with new adjuster/rocker arm assembly.)

4-Low oil pressure ( A- Check and correct engine oil level. B- Check engine oil pressure.C- Check for excessive bearing clearance and correct. D- Check for worn oil pump.)

5-Oil passage to clyinder head(s) plugged with debris. (Check clyinder head oil passage and clyinder head gasket restrictor for blockage. Clean or replace as neccessary.)

6-Worn valve guide(s) ( Ream guides and replace valvess with oversize valves and seats.)

7- Air injested into oil due to broken or cracked oil pump pickup tube. (Inspect pickup tube and replace if necessary.)

8- Collasped lash adjuster due to debris injestion. ( Clean debris from engine and replace lash adjuster(s).

Hope this helps in diagnosing

It takes me about 30 seconds to fix.

And how would you do that?