I did change out those plugs a few years ago. I'm not sure if I can tell the difference between the two sounds. I imagine it sure could be a starving chain tensioner?

 

I heard my chains rattle after doing the valve covers. I never changed my pads, which may come as a shock to many on here after 160,000 miles. They literally had no wear. However, The car sat long enough at an angle to cause the oil to drain from the tensioners. Starting the car after putting everything together was downright terrifying. I heard chain rattle like none other. You will know chain rattle when you hear it. My car sounded like a Mercedes 240D for a good 2-3 minutes before it cleared up.

However, with the lifter noise you're experiencing, try basic Rislone engine treatment off the shelf. This is the NON-ZDDP stuff you find in O'Reilly, or NAPA. I replaced 1 quart of Mobil 1 with one quart of this stuff in two oil changes and my noise was gone. I only put 500-600 miles a year on my car since I drive it just around the backroads and home that my oil is always clean when I drain it once a year. I have opted to drain every two years if I maintain this same mileage. I recommend giving the Rislone treatment a try for two oil changes.

The only reason my car started making lifter noise again was because it sat for about 4 months until I started it up on Sunday. After driving it yesterday, the noise is gone, but I'm still dropping in the Rislone with ZDDP in it from now on.