* I thought I would submit a concluding post to this thread. It might provide some useful information for someone else trying to diagnose an M119 ticking noise after finding a broken oil tube.
* The broken oil tube was the fourth from the front (of eight) on the left cyl head. That puts it right in line with the rear int and exh valves on cyl 6 (four valves per cyl). After removing the valve cover the second time, I discovered that the leaking/noisy hydraulic element easily depressed 2-3 mm. I previously assumed that a bad hyd elmnt wouldn't be that easy to pinpoint (with the engine off) so I didn't check them. The ticking hyd elmnt/cam follower turned out to be on the rear int valve on cyl 6, right next to/above the damaged oil tube.
* So the lesson is this. If you have a fairly constant ticking noise (particularly when extra rpms don't quiet it down), and probably a broken oil tube, be sure to check the cam followers, after replacing the oil tubes, before you button it up. Finger pressure will do. Just remember to face the heel of the cam lobe toward the cam follower for the test. There shouldn't be any free play in a good hyd elmnt.