i took off my valve covers and replaced the pushrods which 4 off them were bent. but they were bearly bent, you could hardly, and i mean hardly, tell by rolling them on a flat surface. could that make a TERRIBLE knocking/tapping noise??? or do i have a bad lifter???

also my plug wires and plugs were really crappy, but that couldnt make a bad noise could it???

 

...most likey piston slap, you'll notice alot of guys talking about here..it is an ongoing problem, most people don't worry about it all...as forthe pushrods...just the slightest bend will make some noise...we should of replaced all the pushrods with hardened ones...good luck