Newbie here but been lurking for a while.

I have an 87 260E with 155K. I just bought the car and it is in really good condition and was always well maintained. Runs and drives beautifully (I think)
The engine starts easily hot or cold, idles very smoothly, has good power, shifts smoothly, makes hardly any noise and got 22-24 MPG on the first two full tanks. There is a constant tick in the valve train that varies with RPM. I real all the posts and felt there was a good chance it was a lifter. Thanks to the info here I was brave enough to try a DIY. I used a stethescope, tried the hammer handle push and thought it was the exhaust valve on bank 5. Changed the lifter but it is still there. I ordered all new lifters and 3mm cup washers.

While turning the engine I noticed when there is no spring pressure on a cylinders valve that the rocker is very "sloppy" I can wiggle it on its shaft.

Couple of q's

Could the tick be more severe than lifters?
Is this wiggle normal?
can I assume I have a good engine if it runs as well as it does?

Thanks

Charlie