hello all..been awhile since i've dropped by...bought a Jeep Wj back in the spring and I've spent alot of time and money trying to get it right..i got it cheap, knowing i'd have to pour some blood, sweat and tears into it, finally understanding what JEEP stands for-Just Empty Every Pocket..but i do love it, and on to my real reason for being here...

My 93 Sport (3.9) 5 speed, has been neglected..sitting..waiting for me to give her some attention..i had driven it to haul this or that, very seldom over the past six months, then a bout 1 month ago, maybe longer, i blew the brake line going to the rear proportioning valve..at the same time the metal line going to the right front wheel blew.(I was sitting backwards on a steep hill, brakes pressed in, started the dakota, and when the lines pressurized, the lines went)...with a new baby, working full time, and going to college studying electrical engineering, i've had little time for it..so a few days ago i was informed by someone my brother in law was seen siphoning gas from my dakota one night...also i had been keeping my keys under the mat, figuring if someone stole it, they would get more than they bargained for when they try to apply the brakes coming off my driveway, which is pretty steep (live in WV)..so i go check her out and sure enough, tank is about empty, battery is dead, and keys are gone...now what to do..so i charge the battery, remove the key switch and remove the bolt that lets me turn the switch without a key or anything and fire her up..i hear a VERY loud ticking, which was not there, at least not that bad, when i last drove it..i got out and ispected the engine and noticed the left rear (near steering wheel) exhaust manifold bolt is gone...so my question is, could this be the cause of my loud tick??..is there anything else i should check out, especially since its been sitting for awhile...before i parked it, it was purring like a kitten..

sorry for the long post but i felt i had to give the whole story...btw, it is time for oil change, not due to mileage, just time--been six months or better, but less than 1200 miles

ps...best to get the manifold bolt from moparwholesale??or could i pick one up at napa??

 

not sure where to get the bolt, shouldnt be hard, but i could see that causing the loud ticking

 

that bolt should be jsut a regular plain old 5/16-18 not sure on length; hardware store item I would get at least a "Grade 5" and put some antiseize on it; no need to go to the dealer or even Napa on that one
could be a lifter due to sitting does the noise dissipate after its run a while?
the blown brake lines are not a big deal; should be able to replace both for <$25 and a couple hours' time at most.... just go buy some lengths of 3/16 brake line from teh parts store and some flare couplers if you need to add on NOT compression fittings!!
I have replaced too many of those to count though I do have the tools to bend and flare tubing the right way

 

i didn't have it running but for about 5 minutes and the tick never got any better..i've always had a little tick when i first start it...but this one was louder..that's why i investigated..i'll get a bolt this evening and stop and get some brake line...i may go ahead and invest in some brake line tools from harbor freight..any one had any experience with those tools??..i bought a socket set that has held up pretty well, but no "precision" tools..believe i read some bad reviews about their flare tools, i'll just have to look around i guess..

may as well change the oil while i'm at it, maybe some marvel mystery oil too..