hi, sorry to write a novel but here is some info on my situation. I own a 88 gta 5.7 TPI that ive had for awhile, was my daily driver. the bottom end and majority of my engine is stock But I had the heads machined and head gaskets,valves,seals done about 6 years ago by a very good shop. my distributor was replaced with a cheaper one at that time also, dizzy and icm started failing recently and when I took off my cap and rotor to get to the icm my dizzy had turned a little I guess it became a little loose over time. not a problem but once all was back together it needed to be timed. after timing I noticed there are some new noises! Before I started with this whole dizzy issue I did not have any strange engine noises at all (other then the old dizzy whining n crapping out) and car ran pretty good. now im hearing some new noises from top of my intake manifold under the plenum close to the dizzy and it also sounds like a exhaust leak passenger side around where I was working. it sounds silly but could I have made a exhaust leak from me pouring sweat all over that area while working on it? that side exhaust gasket is rough looking compared to the drivers side too. I ended up just replacing the distributor with a new carquest stock style and it went in with no problems and fired right up. but now I still have these noises!


is there a way to tell if its a top end knock,valve,lifter or exhaust leak related?
im pretty sure I have a exhaust leak but the sounds I am hearing are questionable...
also I installed new e3 spark plugs few weeks before replacing dizzy and now they are blackish!

the only two questionable things that happened while fixing it is me sweating all over that passenger side area while it was running and hot, and when I was using my digital timing light the buttons on it were stuck for a couple of seconds making it go very far on the retarded side then far on the advanced side,only for a couple seconds then it timed out fine. other than those two things I cant think of anything that could've caused these noises.. I can make vids and take pics,any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

What i use to pin point noises is a 2' piece of 5/8 hose held to your ear and move it around to find the noise. Works good for lifter and exhaust noises.

 

Melonized vs non melonized dizzy gear ?

 

hi, i been using a stethoscope,also it seems like two different noises but not 100% sure. it seems like its the loudest around that dizzy area on the intake (in front of dizzy hold down bolt) and around the far corner (close to firewall pass side) exhaust manifold / pipe. its loudest at cold startup idling and quiets down as it gets warm,but it still makes the noise in gear and while accelerating. the wires are new msd and plugs are e3 they were replaced not even two months ago but plugs are black and dirty now.

 

thanks TP for your thoughts on the gears. i will check on that tomorrow. the noise on the pass side is like a loud ticking and the intake area sounds kind of similar but different.engine has 140,000m its been pretty well maintained i have a msd street fire coil and ignition box also. i have been using a snap on mt2500 , it never showed any codes,knocks or knock retard.ive replaced alot of stuff on this car trying to make it reliable again but these noises are preventing me from driving the car.. well until i know for sure its not my lifters or something.


AUDIO FILES OF THE NOISE ARE ADDED
exhaust leak around pass manifold or valvetrain,lifter, knock?

here are some pics of my old crapped out dizzy when i replaced it.
anyone else have a dizzy wear like this?

***UPDATE: Most Of The Noise Was From A Really Bad Exhaust Manifold Gasket (Pass. Side Rear By Firewall)***