Distributor chirp

I seem to have a chirping noise coming from my distributor. I just noticed it after getting the exhaust installed on my 54 (Its finally quiet enough to hear the chirp). I'm running a 241 hemi with a new mancini small block distributor in it. When I checked it out the center pin in the cap was completely gone. I replaced the cap and rotor with one I had around, and it is still chirping. I suspect I'm going to have to pull the unit and check it out. I do have a spare dist around but its disappointing as this was a brand new out of the box unit. Unfortunately I bought the unit a few years ago in the process of building this car, but it took this long to get it on the road, and quiet enough to hear the problem.

Anyone else ever have this problem with a distributor?

If it's an electronic distributor check the reluctor gap at all eight points, with only .008-.010" clearance a bent shaft will allow the reluctor to hit the pickup on each revolution.

swapped distributor with a spare. Still there, no difference.

Got new exhaust with new hangers. Maybe the engine shake? Don't remember it before the exhaust but it was block hugger headers so could just have been drowned out.

Also has alternator screech at start up. Going to try taking the belt off completely and running it.

Cap loose on the dist alignment pin? If the cap was moving around on the dist housing, that could chirp.

I would also be sure your not hearing an exhaust pipe rubbing against something or a clamp not tight enough. Sometimes noises travel through parts and sound like they are coming from one location when in reality they are coming from someplace different. An automotive stefascope (I give up trying to spell that ) will help locate the source of the noise. Gene

Pulled the valve cover tonight. Passenger side is bone dry and the lifters on two of the exhaust valves are galled. Looks like I need a new rocker assembly. I also have to find out why no oil to the passenger side.