hi all
Just bought a 86 pickup ext cab 22re for about 800, 200,000 miles. runs fine just got a question tho... as i accelerate i hear a ticking noise like almost a exhaust leak. Bout 10 or 15 min later the sound is barley noticeable. could this possibly mean a valve adjusting? I just cant seem to figure it out Thanks everybody...ill post pics later too

 

adjust the valves. While you're in there, take a look at the timing chain and make sure the guides are intact. The injectors can also have a kind of loud tick. Try to determine where about its coming from, i.e., top of engine, bottom, driver's or passenger's side.

 

Could be a valve slightly loose or could be exhaust leak near a port on the head and as the manifold heats up it expands reducing the leak.

 

Could be low on oil... (seeing as you just bought it may wanna check, just in case) If it is a high pitch tick, I would say check the valves like everyone else has said. If its a deeper tick It could be a thrown rod. I had a tick high pitch (sounded like a valve) when I tore the engine apart found out it was a thrown rod, Causing the cylinder to not move making it sound like there was a valve problem.