When you say 'left' side, is that when you're standing in front of the car looking at the engine or from the driver's seat?
When I bought my first SVX, the previous owner had just replaced the timing belt and there was a slight ticking sound that I thought was a 'lifter'. Now, about 16,000 miles later, the sound is MUCH louder. It's coming from the front passenger side of the engine, behind the timing belts covers or in the head near the first cylinder.
I'm hoping the suggestions to fix your problem will also help me.
Good Luck,
Dan