metal particles will spread through the engine and will at best require it to be rebuilt to prevent a repeat failure. basic stuff. it doesnt matter when you hear the noise, by your own statements " I did pull the valve covers and noticed quite a bit of metal flakes on a few of the lifters", what you have is an engine that needs a complete rebuild, or a replacement. anything less will be throwing money in the toilet.

 

I agree that when I hear the noise makes no difference. There is a definite problem. I was simply stating that it was NOT coming from the hydraulic lash adjusters.

In your first post you stated that I would need an engine. I was just curious why I needed a new engine and couldn't just go through the existing one.

Thank you for clarifying it that.

 

New engine or completely rebuild your existing engine is implied I believe.

With metal shaving throughout the block the best way to assure none of that garbage is left is to either replace the motor or completely strip down the existing one sending out the block to be cleaned and resurfaced, as well as the heads or anything else you plan on reusing. Even then, you'll need to do an oil change within a couple hundred miles and cut the filter open for the first time to make certain nothing is left in the motor.