1997 S10 Pickup with a noise lifter . The engine have 179000 miles should I fix the lifter or rebuild engine.

Before spending lots of money on a repair try this. Purchase a can of Seafoam Motor Treatment at most auto and marine parts stores. Add 1.5 ounces of Seafoam to the crankcase for each quart of oil the engine holds. Drive your truck 50 miles and then change the oil/filter. Repeat the procedure and then drive the truck and check the oil regularly looking for it to get very dirty. When it gets dirty change the oil/filter again and add another treatment of Seafoam. After 3 treatments you should not hear the lifter noise any longer if it was caused by carbon or varnish buildup which the Seafoam will remove. If you still hear lifter noise then this is caused by wear or something that the Seafoam cannot remove.

If it's not burning oil and runs good, I would just do the lifter problem.