Tapping noise coming from back right of vvti cover

Theres a tapping sound coming from, about 3/4 of the way back on driver side in the valve cover and when im accelerating the sounds turns into almost a whistle/claddering noise. Long story short before i found where the sound was coming from, I've replaced the timing cover, water pump, cluch fan, top timing chain guide, spark plugs, one of the coils, and the VVTi solenoid. It's got to be the VVTi gear or valve, something?? Please, someone help me! I've been at this for 2 weeks now.

 

Can’t really give an answer but maybe check valve lash with a feeler gage.
on my Tacoma the hood label has the clearance specs.

 

Could be a valve noise. Like a broken spring or bent guide, etc

Do a compression test out of curiosity

Take the valve cover off and rotate the engine, look for something binding in the valve train or see if a valve is hanging open

Does it do the noise constantly whenever the engine is running?

 

The 2.7 liter has hydraulic lash adjusters, no shims or adjustment needed. If the lash adjuster is jammed and not working then they need to be replaced.

 

Oh ok didn’t know that was just throwing ideas out there.