Maybe those italian lifters can't take the High RPM's of the Montero? I lost 2 lifters in my 2.3 TD, makes a ton of noise and barely runs but damage is minimal Motor wise. It's apples to oranges though my dismal being mech lifters but either way same end result.

1999 Montero SAS'd on Kings and stuff

1998 Montero trying to get a V8 Swapped