tapping sound (lifters) could it be power steering pump?

[Bored_2wd]

Recently (last couple months) I've noticed that there is a consistant ticking sound that I'm assuming is valve related. it speeds up with the motor. I've also had some high pitched squealing going on, which I'm thinking is some bearing on some accessory going bad. I just noticed today that if I turn the steering wheel slightly to the right, the ticking sound all but goes away, but anything straight or to the left makes the ticking sound worse. Has anyone experienced this? Any ideas?
--Bob
ps. Amsoil has made the motor quiter, now I'm hearing things that I never could hear before.

 

[jimbo74]

check the condition and level of the fluid... fords power steering pumps are noisy to begin with and a problem i am sure would make it even worse

 

[Billy177]

just take teh belt off if the ticking is still there it is is lifters if not it is your pump