I have a 1998 Ram 3500 truck 5.9 gas with 40,755 miles that I bought as a cab & chassis from a state auction and my question is when I first start it in the morning the valves rattle until the oil reaches them and then I have one or two lifters with a slight tick for another minute or two I put a quart of marvel mystery oil in it it's been in there for 500 miles now not really helped yet what causes the lifters to leak down? could it be sludge around them? would new lifters solve this problem?

 

new lifters would do the trick i think. And while you're there, you can clean out all of the sludge in that area.

Greetz,

Bigster

 

yep looks like that's what I'm gonna have to do minus well do the Hughes Plenum Reinforcement Kit while I'm in there do you think it would be wise to replace the push rods as well? Thanks

 

Just check them for straightness, if in doubt, replace them (can't hurt to do so). Also check the pushrod seats of your rocker arms, normally they should be fine, but better safe then sorry
I have the same task at hand, I'm just waiting for the lifters to arrive here in Belgium... probably somewhere in January.

Have fun!

Greetz,

Bigster

 

I probably will replace the push rods just to be safe that way maybe I won't have to go in the engine for a long long time I hope it will be next spring before I attempt to this repair hope yours goes well and thanks for the info.