Jeep Repair: Tapping to louder tapping, jeep cherokee, rod bearing

Question
We own a 1989 jeep Cherokee and when we first got it it had a tapping sound on the passenger side about mid motor now it seems like its getting louder and louder I've had several mechanics look at it and one said lifters one said rods and one said oil pump and I did the stethoscope trick and it sounds more upper than lower and its between number 3 cylinder and number 4 any clues.         Thanx Lanky

Answer
Hi Lanky,

By your description I'm going to go with the person who said they thought lifters. That's what it sounds like to me. A rod or rod bearing sounds like a knock rather than a tap. If it's louder at cold start and quiets a little bit after it warms up I would say lifters. If you have good, steady oil pressure at the guage, I would think lifters.

Kenji