There is a ticking sound coming from the engine that I believe is coming from the lifters. Is there any way that I can confirm this? If it is the lifters, how hard is it to replace them, and how much will it cost?

BTW, I have a 1996 Ram with a 5.2L v8.

 

Flat rate is 7.3 hours to do all the lifters.
The only way i can think of to confirm that it is a lifter, is to take it to someone who knows the sound. i cant think of any other way to find out.

 

If you suspect it's lifter tick, double check that it isn't an exhaust leak.

A sticky lifter might give you a slight stumble at idle where as an exhaust leak probably wouldn't, but it might be too subtle to notice.

 

i hear that the injectors can also make a tick sound

 

i use a mechanics stethescope to pinpoint the location of sounds like that, works like a dream

 

there are a lot of things that can make a "tick" sound, it just takes a trained ear to know the differance between them

 

They sure do. The PCV Valve also has slight tick/rattle to it.

 

Stumble as in like rough to get going or a hesitation and then it goes? When I give mine gas its like I didn't do anything, and then it moves like 1/2 a second after the fact.

 

Thanks for the advice. I don't think it's an exhaust leak. The sound is definitely coming from the engine, not the exhaust. Also, any idea how much replacing them would cost (if it is the lifters)? And is it necessary to change all of them at once?

Also, Dodgeram07, is that a smart car I see in the bed of your truck?

 

Stumble as in when it's idling, the engine "shimmies" a bit, like it's go a hitch in it's giddy-up.

That problem you are describing is the exact same one I'm having and I believe it's related to the IAC not having the idle air counts set properly. I think the IAC isn't reacting correctly in relationship to the Throttle plate alignment. There's an article at www.bionicdodge.com about setting the Idle on a magnum engine, but I've tried it several times and not gotten it just right yet.

At least I think that's the problem.