1986 mighty max 2.0 engine makes ticking noise most of the time..

Sounds like maybe it is what it is. I know alot of OHC engines that do this and there is nothing wrong with them just the lobes slapping the valves. Now for the metal shavings.. its never a good sign but keep the oil changed and check ever 3000 or less miles to see how its doing

Aluminum Head, Casted Steal blocks, Also a Casted **** steal exhaust manifold which always crack in the inside on the collector.
I own the same truck and with many miles on the bottom end I also have a ticking at the top. I figured that my wrist pins were about to shatter because I am getting some piston slap in the cylinders, but I have no oil burn or drip. The head on mine is a special requested order with no jet valves and all the rockers are adjustable.
If your ticking is loud and irritating for you, it could be a timing belt issue also, but if it breaks don't worry. The trucks have floating valves and will not come in contact with the pistons if it snaps.
I use Castrol oil always. It keeps the interior engine parts cleaner. Many oils will turn all them parts black and just causes a mess when ya have to work on them. Depending on your weather...in my area I use 10-40.
DO NOT ever overheat these trucks too. If you do, even one time...you will crack the heads everytime. I have replaced mine 3 times after the truck got mechanical break downs of the cooling system.
There is also a recall on the seatbelts, the plastic in the receiver end of the buckle gets broken and starts to not lock or will release in an accident.

Brad