Each area of the country blends gasoline differently. In this area (Maryland, DE, NY, etc.), they bring raw gasoline in on ships, where it sits until it gets blended, and then is allowed to be sold in the respective states. Each topography, humidity level, chemicals in the air alter how engine run. Type of driving makes a difference too. I'm recommending 89 octane and a quart of Lucas, because it resolved the issue in my 94 Jeep GC that knocked and ticked a bit when I wasn't using them, and because we're in similar areas.

 

If the "ticking" is a spark knock rattle, by all means, use a higher octane fuel. For all we know from his description, rickybarth may be hearing his injectors working. I assumed that the tick, sounding isolated, was a valve train noise, particularly a hydraulic lifter not taking up the clearances between it and the pushrod and rocker arm and valve stem. On that assumption, my opinion is only that fuel won't be beneficial, but it won't hurt either like putting sawdust in your engine which can only cause problems, not to mention the ethical issue if it is done to hide a needed repair for a sale as in The Andy Griffith Show episode mentioned.