Just got a new to me 1993 2.6 Sportline 5 speed. It needs a lot of love having 250k miles with practically no maintenance records.

At cold start up there is a clicking sound, not harsh, that goes away after ~ 5-10 seconds. Not too troubling but noticeable. Thinking its a collapsed lifter I took off the valve cover and found this. ( I can send you a video too big to attach here)

The rocker moves axially on the shaft. I tried pulling up on the rocker to see if a could get a click but no dice.

Car's from Florida and the PO has run 5w-30 oil. I was given the advise to go to a 15-40 oil and see if that quiets it up.

I did some research and found out there is a procedure that you put a preload on the rocker lifter assemble and make some adjustments with some shims-cups.on new rockers

The axial play seems excessive to me.

Without spending on new rockers, how should I go about with the repair.

Just replace the lifters with new?
Used rockers?

Please advise.