Where to get fixed or replace engine?

[BamBam]

I have a valve tapping pretty hard. Its gotten worse over the past year. No problems mis-firing and it accelerates just fine. But I don't want the TJ to leave us sitting on the side of the road. We have other vehicles to drive daily and being mid-summer we miss being on the trails.

This is a 98 TJ Sport, 6 cyl, manual trans.
Is this engine even servicable?
Is it easier just to replace the entire engine?
Best route to take?

Thanks

[hillbilly]

sure its not just a stuck lifter. and a valve tap is a lot cheaper fix than a new motor. the 4.0 s run forever mine has over 250,000 on it so id go for the easier / cheaper fix first.

[BamBam]

sure its not just a stuck lifter. and a valve tap is a lot cheaper fix than a new motor. the 4.0 s run forever mine has over 250,000 on it so id go for the easier / cheaper fix first.

I don't KNOW for sure. Is there a test to eval?

[BamBam]

Is there any way to test or simply fix a stuck lifter??  I know very little about engines.

I can swap axles, do brakes, and suspension work but I'm lost in this area.

[hillbilly]

if its a stuck lifter ive always had good results with putting a half quart of trans fluid in the oil , its thinner and gets in the lifter to let the spring resettle in. the best is just to replace the lifter.