ticking? help
 

so i had to repo this 96 integra car has 180k mi but prev owner said engine was replaced and i beleve him since it looks like the engine was pulled and the whole bay was painted black said it had about 50k on it, under the valve cover looks clean, has oil, but the guy i repod left it sitting for a long time. now there is a ticking (but not at idol) friend thought it was valve tick but today i got the car running again and it sounds like its in the lower frunt of the motor but sounds to quiet for rod knock, but i can hear it when driving with windows open and does not get louder at higher rpm.
any ideas?

exhaust leak? bottom of the manifold/header maybe?

Xs 2 possible exhuast leak,maybe ur header has a crack in it

double check it sounds like a rod knock starting check oil for metal shavings