Could this be a gasket failling?

All right guys I have this mad ticking comming from my #1 cylinder and I was wondering could (A). This be caused by my exaust gasket failing and I am hearing the valves and pistion louder on that side of the engine? (B) i had something in that same cylinder when i first started it up and what ever it was beat the the hell outa my NGK and got inbeded in my head and i was wondering could this have gotten unlogged and is now sitting in the seat of my exhaust valve causing this loud ticking.
(C) I had my valve cover off for a while and the cams and other valves got un oiled and are now ticking (doubtfull but im not ruling out anything yet) I would just appreciate some advice here, thanks.

Luke

I don't think it would be the exhaust gasket. If it was, you would hear the engine louder too, not just a ticking. It's possible that you have some damage to the valvetrain, maybe something on the valve seat or a chip in the valve, all will require taking it apart to see what it is. Lack of oil would cause a lifter ticking, too.

Yup, if you know you had foriegn objects in that cylinder, you should tear it down to see what it did.

a compression check in that cylinder wouldnt hurt eather, see if it damaged the cylinder walls or valves.

Good call.