1997 4runner diesel sounding engine

My 1997 4runner is pretty loud compared to other 4runners (see youtube video below) and almost sounds like a diesel. It's sounded this way for the past 40,000 miles and has not gotten any worse or better, gets decent gas mileage, and has fine compression. At this point, it's mostly just annoying to me and I'd like to get to the bottom of the issue. I had a valve job completed about 30,000 miles ago hoping it would fix the issue, but it sounded the same after. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-sydDpzcsNc

 

my 5S-FE engine with 191k miles sounds just like that, lots of clack, burns a bit of oil but very little compared to newer motors, no problem with compression, pulls on downshifts like the day we bought it brand new, only time it was opened was for a valve cover gasket leak and only because the tiny leak was creating smoke that was failing my CA Smog test. It still gets me 30+ mpg on the highway and 22 in the city in my sedan.

my 1ZZ-FE also sounds a bit like that, with 74k on the clock, I don't lose sleep over it.

Honestly I would just keep an eye on oil usage and periodically pull the oil stick to examine the fluid condition and keep on driving, get a 2nd opinion from a mechanic if it helps ease your mind. I recalll lot of the older Toyota DOHC engines have loud valve-train if you listen to it at the engine bay, but they are some of the most bullet proof gas motors ever made. There is a reason why 30 year old 4Rs with the VZ motors still fetch >10k with 200k+ on them.

 

It could be excessive valve lash somewhere, but if it holds a steady vacuum reading at idle, I wouldnt touch it. A vacuum reading will tell status of valves. Steady = good, flutter = needs adjustment.

Also take a mechanics stethoscope ( I use fuel line stuck in my ear) and see if you can isolate it. ( i;m guessing its under the valve cover, but check your exhausts)