I have a ticking noise in the motor, which seems to be getting worse. I have checked primaru chain adj - ok. What else can I check?

I suggest you ask an experienced person listen to the noise.

Hydraulic tappets can click for a while after starting and usually aren't anything to worry about unless the noise becomes louder, harsher and more pronounced as the engine speed increases.

If the clicking is suspected to be timing chain related it would be very unwise to ignore it.

Michael, check your engines oil level right away, low or dirty oil is the main cause. Other things that can cause this issue could be worn or dirty cam lifters or tappets, exhaust leak, loose worn timing chain, possible EGR valve cracked or leaking at base, bad belt or tension er, the list could go on. PRESS THE HELPFUL BUTTON and check links below

What That Ticking From Your Engine

Engine Ticking Clunking Noise Repair

Tick Tick Tick Troubleshooting By Ear

3 4l gm infamous engine ticking noise

Check for a bad rocker arm and correct valve adjustment. Make sure cam timing is correct. Never try to retard or advance the cam timing.

all depends on how old the motor is. I would suspect the timing chain and tensioner,

Without being able to stand next to the machine and listen it would be very hard to say what the noise is. Valves are generally easy to adjust and if loud have a high pitched tick sound. Cam chain adjusters generally self adjust and are reasonably quiet. If the automatic adjuster goes bad it will generally make a clatter sound or a loud clack. One thing you have not considered, if the the exhaust gaskets in the head go bad or leak air, they can also produce a loud ticking sound. You often hear this sound in older V8 engines. It sounds like a lifter is bouncing around inside the motor but the sound is caused by a blown gasket between the head and exhaust manifold. If you experience some popping/backfiring during deceleration try replacing your exhaust o-rings in the heads. This may solve both problems. If the problem is internal to the cylinder you may need to change a bad cam chain adjuster. As always start with the cheaper fixes and work your way up. Adjust valves and cam chain tensioner if not self adjusting, replace the exhaust gaskets next, and if that does not fix it, replace the cam chain tensioner. Hope this helps.

No I would not chase to the pistons, these vehicle were very comon in creating HLA noise hydraulic lash adjusting valves, meaning the valves pump up with oil as the oil gets thinner they dont pump up as fast and create a very loud ticking noise, I would not express a great concern over simplicity, dodge was famous for this, they really were.

lift rear end ensure wheel is straight, chain will tick if not running true. next step remove chain and turn wheel by hand, listen for noise, wheel should spin freely when spun, like once or twice around before it stops. sometimes also ticking sound from drum brake is just a loose lever from the brake pedal to drum. pads will not tick. to be really safe, remove wheel and take apart.

Check your chain and sprockets, sometimes the chain wears the sprocket out, "curving" the teeth so it hooks the chain. You probably have the ticking in lower gears as well, but it only hooks the chain at speed - and in 6th the engine revs are lower, the engine is quieter, so you hear the chain easier.

cam chain tensioner also can make noise check it

why 5w-30 ? are you in alaska? 10w-40 is required

with out tearing motor apart use an oil additive like lucas