Hi everyone!

I have a question about replacing rocker arms on my 2001 XJ. Is it necessary to bring the cylinder to top dead center on each cylinder as you replace and torque them down. I've seen people online mentioning needing to do this but in the service manual I have it does not state this at all. Here's what it describes

"INSTALLATION

NOTE: This procedure can be done with the engine in or out of the vehicle.

(1) Lubricate the ball ends of the push rods with Mopar Engine Oil Supplement, or equivalent and install push rods in their original locations. Ensure that the bottom end of each push rod is centered in the tappet plunger cap seat.

(2) Using Mopar Engine Oil Supplement, or equivalent, lubricate the area of the rocker arm that the pivot contacts. Install rocker arms, pivots and bridge above each cylinder in their originally position.

(3) Loosely install the capscrews through each bridge.

(4) At each bridge, tighten the capscrews alternately, one turn at a time, to avoid damaging the bridge. Tighten the capscrews to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.) torque (Fig. 25).

(5) Install the engine cylinder head cover (Refer to 9 ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDER HEAD COVER(S) INSTALLATION)."

The reason I ask is because I recently had the head replaced by my mechanic. Since then it developed a very quiet tick. He did warn me after the install that if anything came up it would probably be the rocker arms as they were worn down. I forgot to get replacements while ordering all of the other parts and he cleaned them and reused them. So I had him take a listen and he thought that they were still probably the cause. Earlier today I replaced them and now have a louder tick. Going back and looking at the service manual I did pretty much exactly as described although I did not alternate tightening the capscrews. I even realized that as I was going and really should have. What do you guys think?

Update: So yesterday I went back and loosened up the rocker arms and torqued them back down to 21 ft pounds alternating back and forth. It did improve the noise. There doesn't really seem to be anything else you can really do as the pedestals sit directly on the head as long as they're torqued all the way down they should be good. I was able to locate the source of the ticking, it is the intake valve on the number one cylinder. I'm probably just going to leave it as is as it's super quiet and my mechanic was not very concerned.