I just can't stop tinkering. "If" I were to remove the head from my 87 Cherokee, what problems and situations should I be on the look out for, that arent covered in the service manuals. You know, "real world" advice.

Tinkering with your head? <snicker>.

Why would you do that?

bah!! I have tappets tapping. Drives me nuts for my stuff not to be right. Plus, Im curious what its going to look like in there.

Well, it's straightforward.

If you find worn tappets/lifters, whaddya gonna do? New cam?

What have you done to address this issue so far?

Yes, new valve train components. Dont really want to put a new cam in, but if it has to go as a set, then so be it. Tappets, rockers, push rods for sure.

So far I have just ran two cycles of Marvel oil for about 750 miles each. May have helped, but may have been me "wishing" it to help. It still ticks, and from more than one tappet at a time, sometimes.

its a tick tick tick noise, the frequency of which is directly related to engine speed. Ticking is not there all the time. Will drift in and out, but consistent at idle when the engine is at full operating temperatures. Oil pressure measured via in dash gauge is 20 ish at idle, and 40 ish at 2000 rpm.

The motor has 250,000 miles on it, and I am certain it has never been opened. (I know the previous owner. One owner Jeep)

Give the MMO some time.

There's another trick to try before tearing it apart.

Well, be aware that opening a 36 y/o engine can create issues of it's own. Broken bolts/studs, pinched wire harnesses, cracked vacuum lines, snapped off sensors. Make sure you bag and tag all hardware.

Your journey of discovery has just begun!

Yep! That is something I am contemplating. My luck has been good so far. Heater core, radiator, water pump, rear seal, shocks, ignition switch activator thingy,.....all with no "oh s**t" moments.

I am all in favor of not cracking this engine open.