57thekid,
I'll go out on a limb...you said "distributor side" of the engine. To me, this sure indicates a Chevy six...unless the V-8 relocated their distributor and didn't tell anyone.
The side cover, lifters and pushrods are all right near your new HEI, and they certainly can "tap". Did the side cover get banged or bent in during this install. There isn't much room in the side cover area for those moving parts! I can't put a tapping sound with a rotating distributor, but what the heck do I know!
Stuart
