So back to the tick, seriously. Before adjusting the tick away, if it's possible to do so, wouldn't you want to check that the push rod wasnt bent first? I just figure that a bent part that has been made to work is a bad thing waiting to happen.
I am pulling the valve covers tonight, probably the intake if I have time. We are getting 6-9 inches of freaking snow today anyway. I'll post what I find later.