Have an engine noise that sounds like it is coming from the timing cover. Discovered that there is a huge amount of play in the 2 part fuel pump eccentric. Is this normal, it it rotates easily and moves a lot front to back.

 

Are we talking about a fuel pump push rod and eccentric that is operated off the cam mounted on the camshaft gear? If we are , the rod used to wear and sounded just like a connecting rod bearing, but could not be cancelled out shorting out any plugs. If the fuel pump arm was worn , it required replacing the fuel pump itself.