1992 SC400 with non VVT-i 1UZ of course. Engine has roughly 225k miles on it.

A few months back I noticed my engine seemed noisy, like maybe a tensioner pulley was going bad. It was noisy at the front of the engine.
I later found it to be the distributors. I took the covers off and while it was running they were very noisy. I decided to replace both caps and rotors while changing spark plugs. After pulling the caps I could easily tell that the rotors had been rubbing the contact points of the caps. I put the new caps and rotors on and in a few days, if that, the noise was back.
I don't remember the brand of cap and rotor I used but they weren't the cheapies.
Anybody have a clue why this is happening? I have been unable to find anything related in any search.

I bought this car from my best friend and I was with him when he looked at it and bought it and the engine was quiet.

 

Are they not secured correctly or loose? Also does it seem like the engine is running smoothly other than the noise? or is it mis-fireing?

 

Engine is smooth as silk and no they're not loose.

 

Mine has a slight sound like a rattling bearing from the distributor area but it doesn't bother me. I have also changed the caps & rotors with no change in the noise. It's quiet enough that I'm usually the only one who notices it.

 

did you use a toyota cap and rotor? thats what I would recommend if you are looking for perfect fit.