Running Rough

I just bought a 1997 Cav 2.2 5 speed base model. It developed an awful ticking sound which eventually went away only to be replaced by awful engine performance. It feels as though the engine is only running on 3 cylinders. A mechanic explained the ticking as a stuck lifter. I changed the plugs but it is still rough.
The suggestion was made that the ticking went away because the carbon build up that caused it came loose and made its way to the rest of the engine which is causing the roughness.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Booya

Stuck lifter will tick like crazy every time that lobe hits it. A collapsed or broken lifter will cause that particular valve to either not open or to not open soon enough or for as long as is necessary, causing a lumpy misfire-like idle.
On an OHC motor it's a piece of cake to replace the lifters (lash compensators).
The 2.2 is an OHV motor, yes? You'll prolly have to fish your stuck lifter out of it's bore with a tool made for grabbing them.
Check the rocker arm and cam lobe for damage while you're in there. Ticking usually means that damage is being done to all the parts involved.
I had to re-cam twice. Once 'cause the original lifters stuck in the extended position and wiped out the cam and once more because like a dumbass-I didn't notice that two of the new rockers I installed didn't have oil holes in them and wiped out another cam.
Third time's a charm and I'm gettin good at this :D

Thanks for the tips. It is an OHV. When you say that it's esy, do you mean it's easy for someone who has never done it before (like me)? I think my mechanic said it would be about 8 hours of labour, does that sound right to you?

Thanks