My first experience with "throwing a rod" was my 57 Fury in 1966, in fact Ted Detar (http://kansasbadman.com/_wsn/page4.html) told me exactly which two rods. He put a long 3/8 extension down on the motor, moved it around a few places, and said: #7 and #8 are spun, then walked off.
When I pulled it apart, he was right, both 7 and 8 were spun to my amazement.
I have thrown many, many rods since, and they have always sounded that same sickening way.
But a lifter, as you say, usually just ticks, but they can get loud.