2002 Escort new head, valves, springs, rod bearings, filters...sounded perfect drove it 10 miles perfect shut it off came back about 1 hour later making same sound as before, sounds like stuck lifter or bad lifter changed then even though they were new still nothing makesa difference only 40600 miles on it and suggestions

ticking noise could be a loose rod bolt, I would get dealer to test drive it and see what they think it is.
could also be a "flat" spot on the cam, but it should have showed up sooner with new lifters.