While going through my 'new' car I noticed that there was some serious tapping coming from the Drivers side Rocker Arm Covers and noticed not only several small holes but while the engine was running the side of the cover was pulsating in certain spots.

I removed the cover and sure nuff the rocker arms were coming into contact with the cover and creating this problem:



The cover was mounted oil fill front with the PCV in the back. As I now need to replace this cover help is appreciated to prevent this from happening again.

TIA
Ethan

 

The valve cover was definitely installed backwards.

The cover is not symmetrical; the side that's intended to go above the exhaust is leaned inward at an angle, much more than the side toward the intake is. So, with it backwards, the leaned-in side is too close to the rockers, which can then hit it.

Put it back on right, with the PCV toward the front and the oil fill toward the rear, and the rockers won't hit it any more.