No. No. No. :thumbup:

Here's what I've done with it:
new rods, pistons, intake manifold, fuel rail
checked the free length of the springs
balanced drivetrain
plastigaged the bearings with the engine rebuild
I took it to a shop who said the problem was definitely in the head (although I'm still suspect of the throttle body and junk below the intake manifold)
Removed the LMA's and Vtec followers
Ran the valve lash to zero (still tapped)
Adjusted the valves with a dial indicator (which I highly recommend over feeler gages)
Removed the alternator and power steering pump

The vacuum problem is perplexing because I don't know if its related or just a leak somewhere. The tapping is intake manifold side of the engine, and it sounds like its below the #1 or #2 runners. :thumbup: