I haven't given up yet Arthur. I'm going to get the camshaft timing done. I just like the car way too much. Any ideas on the ticking? Valves, lifters? Related to the camshaft timing?

Usually not a lifter on that engine, but I do see injectors tick, along with the plug connectors under the coils...
Stethoscope.

I would also check for an exhaust leak up a the engine, specially scine you just had the head off.............

Thanks for all your help Arthur. How the heck you know so much about these cars is beyond me.

I have BenzHead-itis..

..it's terminal ,...and Contagious !!!!!!!!

Those suffering the worst cases can be found over at the Vintage Forum............

The ticking at start up is in the middle to back 1/3 of the engine on the top at the valve cover area. Is that the injectors? If so, is that a big deal? Is it worth replacing one or more or do you just live with it?

I had my camshaft timing checked by another mechanic, and sure enough, the timing is off. That's what's causing the CEL to light up. Apparently, the other garage didn't time it correctly when they installed the new head gasket. Unfortunately, there's also a bolt in the valve cover gasket that's stripped and needs to get tapped out and the mechanic thinks that the serpentine belt tensioner is going to snap when he removes it to get to the camshaft. What I thought would be a $300 job balloons to a $950 job. All because the previous mechanic didn't do his job. On top of that, I had it there 4 times to look into this CEL and never once did they mention that they should/would check the camshaft timing. Apparently, they didn't want to put their mechanic's time into it. I wish I had some kind of financial recourse with them. I'm now out another $950. Piss me off!!

try www.bbb.com
they have always been there for me, also look in your area for a government see if there is a department that monitors shop ethics