Exhaust smell

I have already searched and have found a few ideas but i want to see what you think...when my xj heats up to normal running temp the exhaust smells like its really hot...kind of foul smelling. I just replaced my cat and muffler a couple mos ago. The check engine light isnt on, IMO it leads me to believe that its the spark plugs, wires or distributor.

I have also noticed that sometimes when i rev up the engine with my hand on the throttle arm with the hood open, i can hear a ticking coming from the distributor. any ideas there?

thanks