Noisy Generator Gear... I think....

[gldavis]

Hey Guys!

So for 3 years I've lived with a ting ting ting ting ting coming from the front of the engine. The noise has continued after a recent Texas T Distributor removal and E timer installation. I used to blame it on the distributor bouncing around up front, but alas that is not it. Took the fan belt off, no change from the fan not running. Crank pulley is nice and tight too. So i continued to live with the noise. I think I finally narrowed it down to the the generator gear. The lash seems excessive and I just realized tonight, after reading the "bible" that is is actually possible to adjust the gear lash! Huh, what concept, I guess I should have read the instructions long ago. The engine was rebuilt in 2005 and saw little mileage until I got it, so I'm hoping the wear to the timing gear isn't excessive, we shall see how it sounds when I try running it without the generator. Currently if I turn the lights on when running the noise decreases, which make sense to me since I'm adding a load to the gears. Anyhow, here's my question, is it normal for the generator gear to make some noise? With a proper setup is it still normal to hear the gears when driving along?