With the cap off the centrifuge isn't going to work right, it's based off positive CCV pressure. But wow , that's very little blow by !! The ticking is good to know... That could be manifold leak which will definitely kill fuel mileage.
Exhaust or intake? I also found a vid on youtube that showed if a shim fell out or a bridge wasnt done right it will cause all kinds of issues.
I totally hijacked this dudes thread. . I hope I get this figured out and my baby dont die on me. I had the transmission and both axles rebuilt last year. I worked really hard to maintain it since newish and I busted my butt to pay it off. I know it is just a VNL670 and they are a dime a dozen...but this one is mine. I am proud of my little blue truck.