[HWYSTR455]

Factory 'style' valley pan and windage tray, they are Tomahawk units.

One thing I personally haven't checked is plug wire/firing order, could use a once-over to at least eliminate.

Don't bother hooking everything up, you don't need to in order to test with the light, and will save you some time if it has to come out.

It's tough to zero in on where exactly the noise is coming from, like what general location, noise bounces off the firewall, the concrete floor, etc, and it just isn't obvious exactly what the source is. The source can also cause a 'ring' of other parts too, which are not the source.

Timing light might be a good way to tell if it's crank-rotation-related or valvetrain, but I think it would still be deceiving, and not matter. Removing the valley pan would be a sure thing, and thinking you might be able to sneak a peak down to the tray.

If the valley pan is removed, it would positively eliminate/confirm it's valvetrain. If not valvetrain, engine would have to come out regardless.

Removing engine with manifolds is not that bad, can be done in under 4 hours. Just need to make sure coolant drained as much as possible, and removing the block plug is a good way.

Need to figure out what gaskets were used, and how sealant was applied. (sure Paul can chime in on that). Would help with R&R, and possibly saving some gaskets.

What's the deal on RPM rods Clay? My understanding is if they are prepped right, there's no issues?

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