Valve covers off...
 

Update from earlier post...knocking/ticking
Well, I started to do a compression test first. I drove out to my parents so the motor was nice and warm. I pulled all the plugs and got cylinders 1-4 done..started to do the other side and my battery wasnt for sh*t. I've been having problems turning the car over since I put the battery in the trunk. I think I need 1 gauge wire instead of 2 for the power wire. Anyhow the results were:
#1-165
#2-170
#3- 155
#4-165

All were pretty close, but I need to have the battery cranking a little better next time.
All the plugs looked good, but number six was completely black. Does that mean I'm not getting a spark to it? I'm guessing thats why my motor was chugging. Could that cause any sort of knocking under load when a plug isnt firing?
Next I pulled the valve covers. This is where I become somewhat clueless as to what to do. Everything looks good under there. I wiggled all the rockers and they seem pretty tight. I could get just a hair bit of play out of them. What else can I check? I am assuming these are adjustable mount rockers? Can I take them off and check anything? Rods, etc? Never done this before....
The rockers look like they say Comp Cams on it and they also have 1.6 stamped on them.
The gasket between the upper and lower intake broke...doh. I dont suppose any stores like Autozone or Napa would have something like that would they?....I've got a Cobra intake.
Anyhow, thats about where I'm at right now. If you have any info. let me know. Thanks!

Pic...

another pic...

pics of plugs...

i recently changed my lifters... anywhere you go can get or will have the gasket, which you shouldnt reuse even if it doesnt break. I had a ticking which turned into a knocking, changing my lifters like everyone told me too was wrong. A cam bearing somehow got fucked up and pieces moved around which fucked up the oil pump and i ended up frying the crank cause of no oil pressure. I had to buy a short block because i didnt want to just put a new crank in a motor that had metal flying around in it. trying to avoid a future problem

actually, if the cylinder wasnt firing... the plug would be wet... not black... thats carbon from to much fuel.... sounds more like a leaking injector..try changing the injector to another cylinder... and see if THAT cylinder's spark plug is black after some driving...

have you checked for a header leak? I've had one that sounded like a rod knocking... was THAT bad....it's usually better to eliminate the simple/cheap stuff 1st..:D