A dowel pin puller master set made it easy. Such as as this Cal-Van Tools 95400
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006LUELJO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rlyoFbKVYQ70CThere might be a less expensive trick, but I don't know it.
Did you bleed the slave cylinder as instructed here?
http://www.teamrip.com/clutch-bleeding/Is clutch fork making contact with transmission when the pedal is fully pressed?
Well it's not listed on their site. I called them up and they made me a set. That was about a year ago or so. They are local so it was more convenient.
I think the rod knock would be apparent through the whole rpm range. And there are no metal flakes in oil. I'm quite certain the noise is coming from valve cover as I lean over it to rev it.
Some background: rebuilt stock 6 bolt head. The head did come with the project car and had warped cams, and possibly bad lifters or stock springs which I swapped out (valvetrain was knocking at idle). So I put in used GSC S2 cams, new GSC lifters, and new kiggly street springs, and new kiggly...
I shipped a car from IA to CA. It was $850 cash on delivery. Plus the broker fee ($200 i think). They ask if the car is driveable. I presume they charge more if it isn't. They also ask if you want open or closed carrier. I chose open and the car was relatively dirty when delivered. Pickup and...
I've had a new gates rpm belt walk. So then went with evo9 belt and it was good. Do you have another belt to try? To help in eliminating possible causes.