im glad to say the jeep is back in dependable status once again. when i first started on it i failed to check the pvc valve. i just pulled the line off and made sure it had suction. yesterday it dawned on me so i checked the valve. the guts were gone. i replaced it and she purrs like a kitten now. as for the oil pressure problem, solved it to. i removed the pump and disassembled it. there were some fragments in the pressure release valve (i want to believe from the pvc valve). i cleaned it and now the pressure tops out at 70 when cold, 40 warm idle, 60 on the road.

i replace the rocker balls and put the longer pushrod on the bad cylinder and it eliminated the slack. i still think its possible the lifter is collapsed, but im going to run it for the time being.

thanks for all the help guys