The noise sounds like it's in the upper rear part of the engine like a really loose sharp sounding ball bearing amplified by the cover, which is why I looked under the valve cover first. It's not a steady tap, tap, tap like the rockers make. It has an alternator on it , and the water pump, distributor, oil pan, side cover areas sound ok. Valve train seems to have good oil flow throughout. Very strange, keep the ideas coming. I've also been using my stethoscope with just the tube on it trying to figure out where the noise is coming from. Thanks, and I'll keep digging when I get another chance to look. and get some better sound with the cover off.
