Don
looking directly at the timing cover the top left hand side of the cover has a very small crease along the edge of perhaps 1/16 inch deep by 2 inches long on that edge. Unless the clearance between the timing gears and the side of the cover is that close I don't think this is the problem. Also the rubbing noise only occurs once per full revolution of the engine. Wouldn't you hear the rubbing all the time if the timing gear was hitting the timing cover?
