5.2 Engine Help!!

[blkzj33]

Need some advice for my 5.2l magnum (185k miles) engine. I have been tinkering with it rebuilding the top end lately and having a pretty nasty ticking coming from the center of the engine. I drove the car and it drove fine for about 1000 miles after replaceing head gasket and up... I thought maybe the lifters...how likely are they to go out on a roller lifter engine? I havent changed the timing chain or lifters. Pushrods are new, and rockers are tightened properly. My next plan is to change out lifters and timing chain and put a 99 and up chain tensioner on it. It dosent sound like this is coming from the bottom end of the engine, all though that does need some attention. The noise sounds like your flicking a piece of metal and its very uneven. It only does it when I drive around for some time, then when I stop to pop the hood and listen, it goes away...?? What does that sound like to you guys.

Also... 2 questions?
A 5.9 cam, would I have to modify anything by putting in a 5.9 cam, or just slide it in and go.
Adjustible Roller Rockers, are they really worth the money, and what ratio would you run, 1.6 or 1.7?

[AndyZJ]

Those should be hydraulic lifters and i'd assume the noise would be from lack of lubrication. I had a lifter noise in a 5.2L i have, i changed the oil and it quieted down. Not sure if there is a break in time.

[Angelous]

ive had alot of good luck with marvel mystery oil in my YJ. Those lifters sounded like a bomb was about to go off and it shut them up. One way to tell if its your lifters is to rev it up quickly and see if they get quieter at higher RPMs.