ENGINE STARTED TICKING THEN TURNED IN TO LOUD NOCK

SOURCE: 1996 Pontiac Grand Am / Overheating

How's your oil? Is the level high, or is the color milky? You've basically replaced your cooling system, all that CAN be wrong would be a corroded block [unrelated to anything you mentioned] or an internal leak. If the heat sensor loses contact with the coolant, it'll go nuts like that. And I'm guessing that could trigger the computer to go into panic mode. I suspect a leaking head gasket. Not that bad if you fix it yourself or know someone who will do it for friendship.

SOURCE: '94 grand am cooling system failure

What engine do you have? One noted problem with the 4 cylinder engines is the reliability that at some point the intake will crack. I went through all the same things when I bought my 93. Drove off the lot, started overheating, replaced the thermostat and still had the problem without moving from the driveway. Look all around the intake. Make sure car is full of coolant and have the engine running. Most likely you will see a small coolant leak on the backside by the firewall. These cars were known for this problem. By the way if this is the problem make sure you take it to a reputable mechanic, make sure you get a new one installed. I had a used one and had the car back in the shop the next day. It then sat there for 2 more weeks while the used car dealer and I had a "discussion".

SOURCE: LOUD TICKING NOISE IN ENGINE AFTER INTAKE REPAIR

How long have you ran the engine ? I know that they will run rough and sometimes make strange noises for a few secounds or a little bit untill everything get oiled up again. I would make sure all the push rods are back in the right place and that all the lifters are tight.

SOURCE: engine was knocking loudly and then stopped

When the timing chain goes if the valves are fully open they won't clear the pistons (likely the loud thump you heard) when they come to TDC. Likely looking at a full blown valve job now, make sure it didn't crack or warp the heads in the process. With 192,000 miles on it it was probably due for one anyway. Easiest way is to pull the heads off the block and send them in for a machining and valve train replacement (about 4-$600.00 if you DIY.

SOURCE: 1997 Firebird over heating

Hi could be a thermostat or a head gasket
take the rad cap off a start the car see if there are bubbles in the rad if there are no bubbles then change the thermostat if there are bubbles then good chance it's a head gasket