01 4.6 ticking from engine
 

ok so i have been having this ticking noise coming from my right side of motor for over a month now and it is constant no matter if its cold or warm and it ticks faster as i give it gas, so i assumed it was a lifter that was lose making the noise or possibly a manifold leak, but i just took it to my local shop today and they had it for a few hours and told me they had it narrowed down to the cam shaft or needing a new head, does this sound right to any of you? they quoted me nearly 2 grand to have it fixed after labor thats if it needs a new head worst case scenario, but i dont know im just kind of baffled right now and very pissed off so any input would be great thanks

Check to see if the exhaust manifold nuts are tight (as well as the nuts for the manifold-mid-pipe junction). If the noise is still there, try to pin-point what cylinder seems to be ticking and replace the lifters for the cylinder. Usually ticking is a sign of valvetrain issues (excessive lash) or exhaust leaks. Now I know the 03-04 Cobras had head problems that made a ticking noise but you have 2V heads so...

what about the friction bearings in the crankshaft?

is it coming from the front? i had the same problem. the timing chain guides were worn out and the chain was loose. thats why it was ticking. one day i floored it and the car just turned off and wouldnt start back up. the chain jumped a tooth. now the valves are bent.