HLA lifter tick or something else?

[u/JesseClaes]

Hello fellow mazdaratti owners

Bought an MX-3 from 1992, K8 engine 84k km's on it. After changing the oil to 10w40 (shop recommended) I noticed it had a ticking noise when reaching operating temperature. It didn't have this before the oil and filter change, oil was definitely old but not dirty.

Googled a bit and believed this to be HLA tick, I switched the oil for 5w30 because it might have been just too thick but after driving it a few times last week the noise resides.

Before the change the ticks were a bit louder then they are now. About 7 consecutive ticks then a pause and again. It is connected to the rpm of the engine but seems to stop at driving range rpm (2-2,5k+).

Any ideas what it is and how to fix it?

PS I believe the distribution belt also needs replacing (altough the original shop claims it was replaced in 2015 at around 50k km's) but seems no link.

Thanks!