Originally Posted by A_J

it is a DII, sorry, left that important fact out.

This is the beginning of a head gasket and rocker/lifter exploration/rebuild. I don't know if the pump gears are f-ed up or not, but I have low oil pressure when it was checked last, lots of what I think is lifter noise, and it needs a head gasket.

I'm going with the oil gears first, because I think they are the source of the low pressure, but I really don't know - it could be bearings and all of this work will be just, well, educational

At the very least I'll clean the gunk out of there, clean the pickup and get a good look at the pump. If it's fine, then it's bearings and I may just stop and call it a day, but if the gears look worn or cracked, then I soldier on to breaking down the engine to replace the head gaskets and whatever is making that god awful ticking noise....