VCT rattle or a knock?

[240vertsr20]

Ok so here's the scoop...i have an s14 Sr20DE and i have had this noise almost the whole about 8 months i have had the car and have been trying to figure out what the noise is. I thought, after fixing a whole bunch of other issues, for sure i had narrowed it down to the VCT sprocket. So i got my tax return and dropped $460 on a brand shiny new genuine from nissan VCT sprocket and installed it. Cranked on the car and BAM still have the noise!!! WTF!!! So now i have been just driving it for about 3 months still not too sure if its the VCT anymore....So i have checked the voltage going to the solenoid and in neutral at a idle it is getting a steady 12.80V which from what i understand from doing my research isn't correct. Correct me if im wrong. So idk what i should do next so i have included a video....take a listen and let me know what you guys think...please im seriously just about stumped.

http://youtu.be/KTFrS3MX7YM

[compactfean]

Sounds like a bad lifter

[240vertsr20]

just tried the old pull a plug trick and the noise stopped when i pulled cylinder 2 well guess i better start saving my pennies what u guys think is cheaper...rebuilding the bottom end or just getting a new engine....this is my DD so i need to try to keep it going

[compactfean]

Ah damn that sucks....if time is precious than I'd get a new motor. A rebuild would probly be cheaper though. I thought rod knock too but didn't wanna jinx it.

[240vertsr20]

yea i think ima try to throw some lucas oil stabilizer in there and keep it going as long as i possibly can

[compactfean]

Id replace the one rod bearing than use some Lucas, I did that to my sisters car a year ago, even though the crank was mildly damaged and is running like a champ to this day!