question about possible lifter noise

[Qmulus]

IME, misfires are rarely caused by injector issues, but more often ignition related. I have probably seen 100 coils fail for every injector failure. If he was to go swapping anything, I would swap coils. He may have a ton of miles on his plugs and leaking plug tube O rings as well. There is not enough information to draw any conclusions.

But first I would change the oil...

Just my $.02. YMMV.

[Gelbster]

Agreed but the misfire disappeared in the 1st Post. The problem is ticking. But interestingly, a cracked coil could produce a sort of ticking (if you could hear it over the engine clatter) as it arcd to ground.maybe?