93ATX with 43000 miles / strange noise

[steellll]

guys,
i picked up a white 93atx with 43000 original miles (i verified the miles via service records and carfax).
the exterior is outstanding, no door dings or dents, original paint still looks great (white). interior is also great - it even has the original floor mats in perfect condition.
i live in houston tx and stopped in to visit with sergio from gerry's automotive.
super nice guy that really knows his sho's.
he verified it's all original, never been wrecked.
the one odd thing is a slight tapping noise from under the intakes. because the car sat for 3 years - the guy i got it from had changed the timing belt - he was afraid it would have been brittle from sitting so long. not sure if that has anything to do with it. sergio had no idea what it was and didn't think it was a huge deal.
the car runs great - rock solid idle, no check engine lights, shifts perfect, fast as a rocket, ice cold air.
i didn't pay that much for the car so the plan is to drive and enjoy it. sergio said if it gets louder or changes let him know. i sure don't want to tear into it as again it runs super.
any ideas or input. thanks!

 

[SHO#7]

You may want to start with getting a stethascope and trying to figure where exactly the noise is coming from. Some common noises on our cars are the timing chain tensioners. They continue to adjust ( keeping slack out of the chain ) and this is done with oil pressure. There is a chance that things have dried up and waxed inside the tensioner making the chain have slack. Giving you a rythmic noise, almost like a valve noise. You will commonly hear that noise at the " **** " on the cam covers.

ATX cars often times have a timing belt tensioner noise too. But I am told that is more of a knock.

In eiter case, I would look into the noise, before driving too much more. No need to make matters worse by ignoring the problem.

Mike