Only thing with the 2.4 is very regularly check the oil. They were good at grenading in the GM cars if they got about a quart low. It seemed like the oil pickup would go dry when turning at any speed and start bearing damage. Other than that, real good engine. Agreed, the ticking is most likely valve timing needs adjusted. Sometimes what you’re hearing is actually pressure escaping when the exhaust valve opens too late.
I knew 4 people who wrecked an engine. A friend and I got real good at pulling them. He was the first to do it, I was the last. We helped two other friends in between.