Hey all,
So my 1200 ute used to make this little ticking sound from the engine bay every now and then, mostly when i started it cold. Now the sound has been coming alot more often, a very distinctive ticking sound, which now happens when im driving even. sometimes just once, sometimes 3 or 4 times in a row quickly, sometimes spread out.
Does anyone know what it might be?
I have a worked a12 with a bigger cam and flat tops with webbers etc.
Any ideas?

It might be a leaking exhaust gasket (or a cracked exhaust manifold).

For other engine types, it is the #1 cause of ticking sounds. But it's not too common on the A-series.

Are you running headers/extractors?

Is it a high pitched or low pitched ticking sound.

Check to see if it is not spark thrown away sparking against something making that ticking sound then.
Might be a loose valve that under certain conditions is quiet.

a relay switch might be on the way out. most electrical components die out after a such a long time.

if its from the engine take the tappert cover off and see if every thing is tight. mine pull the rocker gear out of the head. it was making the sound every so often. then after a few weeks it sayed there.

heart pacemaker? Only oldies have A-series don't they?

Is it preignition from a carbon'ed up upper cylinder raising the compression ratio beyond what your petrol can handle?