alternator bearing noise???
 

Ive got a ticking noise when i 1st start car from cold. Sounds like a tappet type sound. It seems to be coming from front of engine at top by alternator. This goes once car is warm. But once warm if i rev car as as revs drop down i here another rattle from same place. Any ideas folks?

I have the same noise from my alternator, I could have sworn it was a "tappet" or noisy injector. It wasn't until I listened through a stethoscope that I was able to pin point it.
I've never got round to replacing the alternator either... V2 Classic.

Even when warm as revs drop rattles? Must be bearing vibrating?

I had this, thought it might be a timing belt tensioner on the blink but it turned out to be broken alternator retaining bolt causing the rattling.

I had this, it turned out to be the crankshaft pulley separating.

I kid you not: the pulleys are made of two parts bonded together with some sort of rubber compound, which had perished.

To find if it's this, remove alternator belt and start engine, listen. If it's still there, suspect the pulley. I replaced mine with an alloy underdrive set.