[Jimlarge]

Noob here,
I just purchased my first Nitro. It's a blue R/T 4x4 in need of some help.
Good: 50k miles, no rust.
Bad: rockers and or lash adjusted went bad.

Situation: Heads were removed by dealer to determine if there was lower end damage. This was a big waste in my opinion, but it's the current status.
Considering the low mileage I'm not sure if I should replace other components or put the stock components back in.

I'm looking for suggestions on the following:
Are there upgraded lash adjusters and rockers that are less price to failure?
Please recommend a kit or brand or website.

Should I replace timing chain or other timing components?
If so, what brand/kit do you recommend?

Heads are currently off so anything else I should replace? Water pump or anything?

Thanks for any information you can provide.
Any other tips, tool suggestions or anything are very much appreciated!

Jim

 

[Jimlarge]

My apologies for all the confusion.
It may not be an R/T. Maybe just had the badges.
It's a 3.7 for sure.

I'm mainly looking for recommendations on parts suppliers.

Is the dealer the only recommended place to get:
rockers and lash adjusters.
Gasket kit from head gaskets up(heads are removed already)
Timing kit?

I was hoping to find parts that are less price to failure than the OEM parts.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Jimlarge]

--nothing broke, it was torn down to assess lifter tick. Now I have it and will put it back together.

 

[Jimlarge]

Long story it's kind of ridiculous really--
I didn't have it torn apart.
Dodge dealer warranty administrator did.
It was under the lifetime warranty program of 2010 after the financial crisis.
Original(only other than me) owner took it to Dodge dealer. From there some warranty administration person takes charge of what services are authorized. The warranty administrator required it to be torn down including removing the heads. Then the warranty administrator determined it needed $10k in work/parts. So then warranty admin determines it's not worth fixing for$10k, cuts the customer a check to buy then put off the warranty. Customer collects a check and retains vehicle but it's all torn apart and customer would have to pay to put it back together/repair it. Keep in mind everything worked, no rust, 50k miles, customer drove it in for oil change and mentioned the lifter noise since he had lifetime warranty.

I purchased it from the customer as he couldn't see it going to a junk yard. In the month long process he bought a new Jeep. There was almost nothing wrong with this vehicle. Now all the engine parts are in boxes. I was able to talk to the mechanic that took it apart and "off the record, no guarantees" he recommended lash adjusters, rockers, gasket kit and timing kit.

My opinion is Dodge is trying to get these lifetime warranty vehicles off their books. Warranty admin require the overkill tear down and run up the bill so it qualifies for a "buyout". Also most of the vehicles once torn down don't get back on the road.
Once the warranty paid customer, the dealer did offer to repair/assemble it. I believe the estimate was just under $4k.

 

[Jimlarge]

At only 50k miles everything should still be good. But, you could upgrade to the solid lash adjusters since it's all apart anyways. If you could get a set of cometic head gaskets installed while you're at it--that would last it the rest of its life.

Are the other manufacturers of solid lash adjusters? I was checking out the ones at airram but they are a bit spendy.