spikeymike, yeah i already planned on doing that.
I should of just had a little more patience. After starting it the first time, i only let it run for about 20 seconds and then shut it off after hearing that crazy noise.
So i finished putting everything else back together (intake, filter box) and then fired it up again. Still heard the same noise…it turned out to be nothing but the NEW rotor contacts hitting the distributer cap contacts. After letting it idle for about 5 minutes, the sound dissipated. All is good now. Thanks!