nope i'm doing it because of this...http://videos.streetfire.net/video/t...tap_636916.htm my fingers are crossed that this is the problem for sure.

 

You ever mess with the oil pump in that truck?

 

nope, bone stock makes 40-45psi at idle

 

Smell your coolant overflow cap.
Does it smell like combustion gases?
If it does and you were not losing water then I would say you would be pushing water.
Btw you combustion chambers look pretty good jus a little rich though.

 

my over flow tank was almost empty and this side of the motor has been wet for awhile. i thought it was oil until i smelled it one day. also are the bolts suppose to stink when you pull them? mine smelled almost like gear oil.

there is a spot in my tune where it gets pretty rich i've been working on it. its at about 40% throttle and 5-6 psi at about 2000 rpm. it will hit 9's afr. i think i got it though. its hard to tune it perfect around the meth but i'm getting there.

 

i cant see the pics mike. email them to me. i know your trying to keep this affordable but, i would just replace the lifters anyway.

 

I would just replace them especially if you think you had coolant in the oil. They gum up and stick down causing the tick. Based on the combustion chambers and piston tops I think your head gaskets were good. Coolant in there cleans them out and you would definetly notice it. Did you look for traces of coolant in the center bolt hole?

 

lifters are on there way will be here today. i just wanted to make sure i didn't waste my money. center bolt had water so did a few others. but i have the long bolt style block. early 2004 i guess. the smelled bad too. almost burnt smelling. like old gear oil.

 

Do your heads have this marking? This is where to look for a clean spot from coolant leak. I just don't want you to bolt back on bad heads and have the same problems.

 

I know it's more work, but with the noise I heard on your vid, I'd go ahead and pull the other head off too, just to have a look at old number 7. It's more of a pain, but since you really didn't find anything definite, i think it would be best, since the last thing you want is to put it back together and have it still making that noise. Ya, know what I mean?