The previous distributor was also a HEI, but cap broke and rotor damaged so I wont be able to put that one on to see? But the new one could be damaged and im going to pull and check. I dropped the pan this morning, and no metal in pan, so that makes me feel a little better. Just to cancel out distributor -shaft to pump and pump itself (is the only area I can really narrow down the sound) im going to pull pump and distributor and check those and the little keyway /pins. If theu look good ill probably move to the adjustment process with valves.

On these older 350s, could there be some play/to much clearance in the wrist pins and may them slap a little when cold and before it warms up?