first we need to know if you have any oil consumption. there is a tsb on the
318 (5.2) for intake plenum gasket failure, this is a plate on the bottom of
the intake and when it fails it causes oil consumption and spark knock
(pinging) easy check. unplug the vac line going to your pcv valve (you want
to plug this vac leak before starting the engine) leave the valve in so I
fills the hole in the valve cover. then take the makeup air tube off from
the intake, this tube runs from the other valve cover to the intake tube.
start the engine, when you put your thumb over the hose you should fell
positive pressure (air escaping as you remove your thumb from the hose) this
is good, if you feel vacuum (negative pressure) then most likely the plenum
gasket is blown, and needs to be replaced. its not a big deal you can get
everything you need from the parts house and its a simple matter of removing
the intake and putting in the new gaskets. also note that you do not want to
run the engine long with the pcv disabled because of crankcase pressures and
lack of scavenging, witch is what the pcv does.

and also for your information there is NO knock sensor on dodge truck
engines of that family, this includes the 318 (5.2L) 360 (5.9L) 488 (8.0L
v10) the new hemi and 4.7 as I understand it does have one but yours does
not.

Go here:  http://www.hughesengines.com/partDetail.asp?partID=11698
I also started using Bardahl....gets my oil pressure back to where it is
supposed to be.

First thing I think of is poor oil quality. Try Castrol 20W50. My last
vehicle (not Dodge) had a nasty piston rod knock. Castrol was the only
brand that quieted it. All the other brands were quiet for about two
days.

 I get valve rattling on acceleration with the use of regular octane
fuel.
high octane fuel eliminates the rattle. could timming be a
factor?someone
said maybe a knock sensor? the motor has 145,000 on it, and is a 5.2
v8.
any comments would be greatly appreciated.