bmw 316 engine noise

every time i turn the car on it is now beginning to sound like a tank (this seems to be coming from the engine itself and not the exhaust. might be wrong) and also has a ticking noise which gets loader when the gas pedal is pressed. sometimes the ticking carms down a bit. the ticking sound load when you put your ear toward the exhaust but the exhaust does not seem to be blowing at all. does anyone know of any way to cheak the exhaust system etc.
(i also noticed today that the exhaust is held up by a piece of metal wire at the back which i had failed to notice before. you can hear it rattle when in idle)
any help would be great.
thanks all for reading.

sounds like loose heatshield tapping against your exhaust may be.

possible but i think the noise is a bit quick for that

Sounds like a singed head gasket

something is loose if there is no change in the engines performance any changes?