Rod Knock or???

So I got a ticking noise and it increases with rpm and is constant it is more audable from the bottom of the engine and is near the Bell housing if the tranny it is not loose bolt in tranny but I have no clue what it would be besides rod knock? And if so anyone know how to cure this without taking off the head?

Bought a XJ once for dirt cheap because they said it had rod knock. Went home and tightened up the flywheel bolts and noise was gone. Could also be a cracked flywheel or crack in the exhaust manifold.

Get a decent mechanic's stethoscope and touch it to various places on the engine, this will help you narrow it down. It might be rod knock, it might be noisy lifters, it might be a lot of things. As for curing it without pulling the head... maybe?