Hi friends. I went on a spirited drive with my recent build yesterday, and decided to see what a few extra revs would get me at which instance that a ticking sound began. Computer says cylinder 1 misfire, P0301.

Next steps I could take the value cover off an inspect, or go in with a boroscope and inspect (I'd have to buy one first). What would the experts here do to get started?
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I prefer to do the least intrusive things just to eliminate them from the equation, but that noise adds another thing to consider.

I think I would do a compression test first just to verify what I suspect is a misfire resulting from low compression. If cylinder 1 has lower compression than the other 3, I think I would remove the valve cover to determine if that ticking noise is from the valve train. In setting up for the compression test, you will be pulling your spark plugs which will give the chance to look at them for clues - one of those less intrusive things I was talking about.

As fair as how to "prevent this from ever happening again", I think first we must determine what "this" is.

 

Good news. I took the valve cover off and all is well - I had a loose rocker arm because the assembly wasn't tightened down to spec. I assumed they should have been tightened properly when the head was built but apparently I should have checked it. She's been running like a dream now. That could have been a lot worse!