383 engine noise question

Can't say that it's your issue but I have seen fuel pump pushrods worn up to a 1/4" over new. I would pull that push rod out and check it. The other thing to remember is if it's that sloppy it's not doing the eccentric on the cam any favors either. Remove the fuel pump and there's a threaded plug on the block you have to remove to pull the push rod out.

Thanks for the input I can check that. I didn't say in the post that this just started happening.