SOLVED - 4.7 Swap Complete - Now clicking sound from driver side cam area

Just finished putting a used 4.7 in my truck and got her running. Apparently the used engine had 88k miles on it and appeared to be in good shape. I did the timing belt, water pump, front main seal, cam seals and valve cover gaskets on the new engine.

The engine seems to run strong and smooth with no CELs. The problem is a weird clicking noise from what sounds like the driver's side cam gear area. Sounds like the cam gear is nicking something as it spins around but I'm not sure. Couldn't see any evidence of metal to metal contact. I followed the FSM for timing belt and cam seal replacements including the use of the service bolt on the exhaust cam sprockets.

I'm going to try to add a video to this post. Has anyone come across something like this? Any ideas or thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

 

How well and what did the engine sound like prior? Maybe something was wrong before you installed the engine? Our 4.7L engines purrr at idle. Yours sounds like a Jetta on its last leg.

 

Unfortunately I have no idea how the new engine was running prior to swap as I got it from a salvage warehouse. Everything looked good on it though.

 

If you followed the FSM to the ‘T’ then you shouldn’t have that sound. These engines are stout so hoping something isn’t afoul from the buyer.

 

Figured it out. It turned out to be a slight interference between the cam gear and the sheet metal shielding behind it. Was able to take the timing cover off and adjust the shield. Now she's running quiet and smooth!

 

Awesome! What happened to your original engine? We've not seen many fail here.

 

I second that. What and why? And pics?