I have a 2000 windstar with 119k

For ticking lifters I always use sea foam. I place about a third of a can in with the oil. Let vehicle idle(ONLY IDLE) do not rev it up at all. Let it idle for thirty minutes or so. Most times as the lifters start to get clean the ticking stops. Then immediately replace oil and filter. I have always had good luck doing this to clean ticking lifters.

you can try heavier weight oil, too, but I think on a 15 year old Windstar, you may have to live with it-

slick 50 works great for it to. put that in my audi when it ticks on start and it works with synthetic oil. and if they told you the erg needs replacing did you replace it ? or did you just change out the fluids and leave it ? this valve is what helps control your cars running so if it is no good any more chances are it could be causing the ticking.