Ticking engine, click/clack top of motor - Cars & Trucks

Possible an a/c air door actuator failing if you have auto climate control

If the rod is knocking you hear like a rhythmic ticking/clacking sound coming from the top side of the motor right under the intake. Changing or adjusting the rods isn't very hard to do and should be fairly inexpensive.

Being it is a ford it is probably the lifters clacking as usual for them,

look at your idler pulley since the ac clutch runs on the serpintine belt its moving alot faster the berings are prob bad in it takes 10 minutes to take off and 17 dollars to replace n another ten but if you take it off spin it in your hand if its rubbing n stopping fast(should spen fast like a skateboard wheel) then its bad that could be all it good luck hope this helps

Usually a loud ticking or clacking sound under the hood is a leaking or blown exhaust gasket. Probably not related to the transmission replacement.

It sounds like you have a valve or rocker issue, I would run an engine cleaner through the engine. I suggest draining 1 quart of oil, pour in the cleaner and run engine for 5 min. Let engine cool and drain the oil. Pretty much another oil change. This will hopefully clean a sticking valve if this is the issue. But I also would check for anything hitting the pulley's or fans that may have came loose. I've seen this a lot. Good Luck. It may take 2 cleanings for the engine, so don't get disappointed.

if the oil pan is dented up to where it touches the oil pump the engine is not getting oil rockers are clacking . every time you start the engine you are damaging the bearings if they are not already gone you need to fix it right away drop the pan and bang out the dent with a hammer hope this helps

compression test engine to check top end for problems(clacking noises could mean low oil pressure or level or bad lifters etc). Have the engins smoke tested for any vacuum leaks

Ticking or clacking noise from the valve train is caused by loose valve lash (clearance). Clearance adjustment can remove the noise.