'97 Laredo str.6 eng. clicking/tapping - Help

[grossd1989]

My 97 Gr. Ch. Laredo with a straight 6. En gine is tapping/clicking, best description I can give. I removed the valve cover very slight play just above springs. Removed oil pan (have yet to get it all the way past axle and trans) caps have slight forward and back movement. Not sure how much if any play is normal. Help

 

[kingmega]

alittle play in the rocker arms is normal before my crate engine my 4.0 was tapping in the lower end mostly after start up once it got nice and warm it pretty much went away i ran with it this way for a long time till it got real bad the lower rod bearings were cashed and had lots of play alittle bit is ok but i mean i little bit this may be ur problem

 

[Jester32]

4.0 l are notorious for cam and lifter wear. I would measure your rod bearing clearance with plastiguage since you have the pan off but I would lean towards a cam or lifter problem. Theres a spec for con rod side clearance. Can't remember what it is off by heart though.