Change the timing gears/chain while you're in there,
it would be pretty silly to get to the point were you can put your hands on them' and then seal them back up.

also you cant afford to do an oil pump and head gaskets , but you can come up with $600 for a new front cover?
you could do your heads, oil pump, timing chain, water pump all for less than the cost of a front cover that you don't even know if you need yet.

 

This might be dumb, but are you putting premium gas? When I bought my D2 with 124K miles, the PO only used regular. It ticked under acceleration. I did most of the 100K maintenance recommended in the sticky and switch to premium gas. After a while the ticking went away.

 

Have no idea what the previous owners used for gasoline but I bought the truck with 130,000 and have always used premium. For over a year I used Gulf Premium then several months ago I switched to Shell V-Power. Fuel injector cleaner every 3 months and change the oil every 3 months and Ive done an engine oil flush.

I agree with Jim, if I dont need the front cover then I will avoid it, however.... in the event that the ticking is associated with my oil pump then I bet that means there has got to be some scoreing on the front cover. From what I gathered if there is any scoreing then you have to get the front cover replaced. Its a question of weather I should take everything apart and keep my fingers crossed that I dont need a new front cover and risk having to wait a couple days after I take everything apart to order the front cover at the last minute.

Some people say that these front covers are strong and its unlikly that you will need to replace it at 150k, others say that its very likely.