PROBLEM 1
Seems a hard one unless its heard personally.could it be the big ends?
PROBLEM 2
is piston slap.nigh on all 2wd saff's have this,it is because of the position of the gudgeon pin,i wouldnt worry too much about it...
But i would try and speak to someone who knows a bit about cossies or engines for your first problem,as it could be either something or nothing Good luck bud