Alright, so I took the cover back off... and I'm back to where I was. I purchased new timing chain tensioners, and timing cover and valve cover gaskets, and installed the new tensioners...
I put the cover back on, and to my dismay, sewing machine noise is still there and still loud...
Again, I have a 2000 gt with hitech stage 2 cams. I am using the 01+ cam gears, spacers, and washers. Everything is specd the way it should be. I've double and tripped checked EVERYTHING...But there is still an incredibly loud "sewing machine" noise coming from behind the timing cover...and now the noise is vibrating on both sides, and is JUST AS LOUD on both sides of the car BEHIND the timing cover...
Its almost like the chain is hitting the timing cover...but there is nothing on the inside of the timing cover...not a mark.
There is also no evidence of contact between the chain and the guides, or shoes. No chewed up or broken plastic, or anything.
When turning the motor over by hand, with the plugs out, it almost "binds" up for a second, and then goes away on every revolution i make...it just kind of gives a little resistance, and then frees itself up. this is seriously just sounding like the timing chain is making contact inside of the cover...
I'm so confused at this point...something stupid i've noticed is that it almost looks like the camshaft positioning sensor that gets plugged in on the outside of the cover, behind the power steering pump resevoir, is chewed up. Like somethings been hitting it...but I dont see a point of contact.
I CANT BELIEVE THAT I'M THE ONLY PERSON TO EVER RUN INTO THIS PROBLEM...I've done everything that the hitech reps have told me to do. Purchased all the parts, and followed ALL of the cam install threads...double and tripple checked them...read them over and over.
I just dont know what i'm missing...SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!