The noise in the GenV 454 turns out to be the shim pack going away in the distributor shaft, according to my buddy at Ramchargers. There is about .350" of end play in the distributor now but no side play. Only thing left of the shim pack is a partial "wavy washer".
Taking the unit to Proform where it was built today for more analysis. Thoughts right now are:
1. Heads and deck milled so distance between manifold and intermediate pump shaft is too short. (unknown if block and heads have been messed with.)
2. Something wrong with the intermediate shaft, in that, it is not seated all the way onto the oil pump, or it is somehow too long.

Does anyone know what the distance should be from the manifold surface to the top of the intermediate shaft? And, how would you measure it accurately??

Any help and comments will be appreciated.
Thanks

Mike