I have a 94 4x4 pickup, and while out hill climbing I noticed a loud tapping. It is coming from the driver side head. i pulled the valve cover and the noise seems to be in time with the front lobe of the cam. I then removed the timimg belt cover and i do not see anything that would be causing this. Looking for any suggestions. thanks

 

So let me get this straight...you removed the valve cover and the thing still ran? That should have caused a massive vacuum leak and caused the engine to be unrunnable. Or did you plug the PCV inlet hole in the intake hose first?

Anyway, have you checked the valve lash for those valves. You could need to adjust one or more of them(if too loose they'll make a tapping sound). Or you could have a worn out valve guide(s) causing some valve tip and/or worn valve lifter(cam follower) rattling around a bit or sticking a little. Or the cam lobe(s) could be worn causing the valve lash to be excessive(again too loose=tapping sound).

Good luck!