OHC 2.3 tick w/ video

[EMB1230]

Seems like the sound is coming from the timing belt tensioner or that toothed gear on the crank.
http://youtu.be/pUVrzA7mGIg

 

[chilsam]

Unhook alt belt

and start it to see if the tick is gone,if it's still there put it back on then with the motor running make a stethoscope out of a old broom "WOOD" handle place it on parts of the engine "NONE MOVING" lol and see if noise gets louder to narrow down the parts of concern check for an exhaust leak also.GOOD LUCK!

 

[Kenneth S]

Sounds like the bearing in the timing belt tensioner is going away. You can also check if the water pump, or alternator has a bad bearing by removing the alternator belt, and turing the alternator, and water pump by hand. As noisy as it is you should be to feel it, and or hear it when you turn it by hand (the same goes for the timing belt tensioner).

 

[ranger1943]

Similar sound

I had a similar "tick" when I put my ranger back together today. I recently changed out the oil pump and did the timing belt and tensioner as well. The sound ended up being the screw for the outer timing belt cover was to tight against the tensioner. I see you have your cover off, but I agree it sounds like the tensioner bearing going.