How do these rod bearings look?

[JacksonAuto]

What is your idle RPM? It may be too low to provide enough pressure.

 

[gieri002]

My idle is set to 800, should I change this for my 2.3 setup? It does seem to idle nicely though! Could this noise (the louder knock) be piston slap or a wrist pin issue? I feel these are the only two facets I haven't covered.

 

[JacksonAuto]

That's not super low but you could try bumping it up to 900-1000 and see if the pressure comes up, which it should.

 

[DiamonDSM98]

did you ever find the problem ? Did you prime the system with lifters after installed right before your 1st start up?