OK guys, just for an update, took apart the engine and heads to find that there were one or two lifters having some bearing issues.
To add, one of the exhaust bolts had broken so that too was contributing to the ticking noise. It's no wonder why we couldn't really pinpoint the issue. It was both.




Rather than going with the thicker oil remedy, I took this route because I felt it would be better.
Doing an oil change with a thicker oil, I feel would have been just trying mask the issue and hoping that it will go away.
When I bought the truck, the mechanic did tell me that there was slight tick. We hoped that using Redline 5w30 would have rectified it, but it didn't. It only masked the issue.
If I had bought this truck new from the showroom with 0 kms and knowing what I know now, it would have been easy to prevent ever having this issue - just use Redline 5W30 for every oil change. I could have substituted Redline with any good brand 5W30 oil for that matter. Maybe even Castrol Magnatec would be good choice. Who knows.
I was hoping that I would never have to do this ever again, but the fact is that the history of this truck, or any used Ram 1500 here in Dubai, put it in danger having this issue. People are not aware that the dealer is causing it by using 5w20 oil. I don't think that the dealers themselves know, or maybe they do, that is why they are using Mopar 5w30 for most of their oil changes.
In fact, the parts guy at the dealership quoted for Mopar 5w20 and was shocked and rather confused when we gave a stern "NO!". LOL.
Now considering that after this rebuild, the engine will be practically brand new, I am confused as to what oil I should use on it.
I am tempted to try Castrol Magnatec. It seems great on paper. Looking at the voa in this list here,
Oil VOA Database, it seems that Magnatec has similar properties and additives to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. Not sure if VOA is an accurate way to testing how good an oil will perform.
However I know that if you are using Pennzoil, most people on here choose to use Lubegard.
Is using Lubegard Biotech mandatory if you are using Pennzoil?
On the other hand, I know and trust Redline. It has proven itself time and again, but it is far more costlier than the Castrol Magnatec.
I would really like to hear from someone who uses Magnatec on their 5.7 Hemi engine.
Came across this link..
https://carfluidpro.com/best-oil-for-5-7-hemi/
Interestingly it lists Magnatec as the 1st option.