My '92 300SE has about 113K on the clock. The engine recently had a new headgasket, oil pump and "some" new lifters. (Why someone would go to all the trouble to pull the head off and not replace all the lifters while the head was apart is a mystery to me).

Unknown as to whether the timing chain/tensioners, etc. saw any service during the headgasket job.

Occasionally, I hear a lifter ticking, and once heated up, the engine does seem to have an excessive amount of valvetrain noise.

HOWEVER, I'm new to these motors and what I'm experiencing may be normal.

Oil pressure at 90C-indicated engine temp at 650rmp is 1 to 1.1bar. Rises to 2 bar by 1000 rpm and is pegged by 1500-1750 rpm.

Engine runs smoothly.

I'm not opposed to doing some further work to ensure long-term reliablity, but I'm concerned that replacing the lifters is more work than I'd like to undertake on this DOHC motor.

Are there known issues with the upper valvetrain on these motors (tensioners that need to be replaced at XYZ miles, chains that stretch, etc.)

Also - how difficult is R&R of the lifters for an experienced DIY'er.

Thanks for your opinions and suggestions.