'97 camaro engine noise(coming from the front of the engine)

i have a '97 camaro with a tuned port 3.8 engine. the heads were cracked when i bought it so i replaced with reman. ones, so far so good. when i got it back running the lifters were making their little noise and would not shout-up after driving it for 150 miles and several tricks so i relaced all of them. got it running again the lifters are quite but there is still a ticking sound coming from the front of the engine that goes faster when idled up. could this be a bad new lifter, or timing chain slaping or:banghead: ????. any and all help will be meet with a million dollars or thanks, paul l. brown

Have you replaced the timing chain before? how many miles on it?
if there are a lot, then you might just want to replace it to be on the same side as it is just normal maintinance anyway(do it yourself a save a couple hundred $$$, you can probably buy all the parts for less than $70)
Make shure you have all the parts ahead of time including the chain guide/tensioner.
If your timing parts are worn, then replacing them will make a world of difference.
But first, check for any exhaust leaks...

ya, just pull the timming cover off and take a look, but first like malletslinger said check for exhaust leak.

don't overlook the water pump, it's that itme of year.

Otherwise, you did soak the lifters before reinstalling right? Also sure you hit the torque specs on the rockers?

i did soak the lifters before the install and also there could be an exhaust leak , i will ckeck that to day. as far as tourqe specs on the rockers i was told by autozone that there are none. i do think it is the timing chain. the car has 150,000 miles on it.

Yeah chain or manifold leak, very possible then.

Yeah chain or manifold leak, very possible then.
i would hate to thank that after all off the work that i , my self , have pourd into this car that a simple manifold leck could be driving me crazy, but stranger things have happend. thanks for all the help and i will keep all of you updated.