So I'm simply looking for a little advice and possible scenarios after a little incident with the Raider a couple weeks ago. I have the 2.6 and overheated it. The gauge only ran up to half before the lights on the dash came on and I noticed it. I shut it down and pulled over. Long story short I lost the water pump. UNFORTUNATELY, on restart I'm guessing I did some sort of damage and am wondering what the possibilities are.
Has difficulty on crank and fire now, but when I start it the head just sounds loud and clattery as hell. I checked plugs, none are fouled, dipstick has no coolant on it. (Though I plan to drop the oil later today.) Any recommendations or ideas? Hoping just a blown headgasket, but will that cause the head to sound that chattery??
Appreciate any help. Thanks!
Casey

First things I would do,
While you are replacing the waterpump, open the little cover below it and set the tension on the oil pump chain. This is an often overlooked manual adjustable chain that can cause big problems when ignored.

Retorque the head before further running of the engine. Do this before the gasket fails. The 2.6 has a headbolt that protrudes on a pedestal behind the rearmost exhaust valve. When the engine gets too hot this area deforms reducing the clamping force on the gasket.

Change the oil & filter
It sounds to me that the oil pressure is very low, this causes insufficient cam chain tension inducing loud noise. This can also be an issue if the oil relief valve is stuck part way open. (Not uncommon on 2.6)

Now analyze what you are up against.

Definately did not know that about the oilpump chain. Will tear that apart to take a peek. I was planning on dumping the oil to take a look at it, so that will get changed.
I'll see if I can just go ahead and do all of your recommendations tonight and update.
Thanks so much for the reply!

Oil is glittery so we're thinking cam bearings if not more?

Are the glitters magnetic?
The cam rides in the aluminum head. The secondary chain is all steel.