Valve noise after VVT is removed

[MCCOHENS]

Posted this on the non performance question but this is a better place to ask the question. And apologies, asking about a noise is a rookie question. But I am a rookie on these motors and am hoping for some BTDT answers. Anyway just bought a 77 MGB with this motor in it. Bought it non running, has been sitting for I would guess 5 or more years. Engine management is a GM OBD1 system so they removed the VVT, I am guessing a Comp Cams chain/gear was installed based on instructions for degreeing a cam in the car. Put fresh oil and gas in, it started right up and runs great. Crazy fast, can't even get to full throttle as it buzzes to redline so fast I can't get the pedal that far down in lower gears. But it has a noisy valvetrain, like mechanical lifters that need adjusting. Not terrible but more than I want to hear. Oil pressure is 30, did not notice an increase at higher RPM. And again, sorry but before I start tearing into the motor maybe someone else has something they can share about valve noise on a supposedly hydraulic cam motor.

[Frank Reiner]

It will probably help if you are able to expand a bit on the exact makeup of the valve train.
Was the only change the installation of a timing chain/gears set?
Was the camshaft also changed?
Is the engine one of those that had the provision to disable cylinders (Displacement-on-Demand>"DoD")?
None of this can be answered from the outside of the engine; is the previous owner available?

[SappySE107]

its probably the one I tuned for TCE/KillerBV6 back in the day. I would check the preload on the lifters (pushrod lengths). It might have a TCE Double Roller setup in there. I don't really know what all was done to the motor at the time or what cam is in it. It might not be the same car, as I have no idea if they sold more swap kits or had someone else do any tuning.

[MCCOHENS]

Thanks Ben, I was thinking the same thing too. Also, this forum has given me an idea, maybe the cam gears and chain are not the best quality and could be worn. I want to pull the valve covers and check for lifter preload, also if there is any slop in the cam chain. That is a little tougher to do from the valve cover but if the plugs are all out a socket on the crank could be telling. No the owner has ghosted me, he told me the paint color and stopped responding after that. The guy who did the work found a bunch of pics on an old PC and is mailing me a thumb drive. This build was so long ago his memory could be fuzzy. So far the paperwork that came with the car has been pretty weak. Aside from electrical schematics not much. Spotty receipts for useless stuff.