Just my 2 cents. I had the same issue on my 97 (55,000 miles). Turned out to be the front exhaust manifold cat was clogged.That was NOT the ticking issue at hand. It was the leaking exhaust manifold gasket that was making the tapping sound. It was exhaust leaking sounding like a tap. Exactly from the same area. The pulley side. They replaced it and all is fine NOW no tap...
All was covered to under the emmissions warranty,,
Just my guess. But it could very well be a pully or belt issue...
Spankey
