Thanks man, on top of this my clutch finally took a dump in my Mini so now i have 2 projects...

The metal loud fast tapping sound in my opinion sounds like a valve or a piston but not sure. I think its to loud and steady to be arcing. Prob is im afraid to run it long to investigate more.

 

Loud tapping?
After say a few miles drive?

Right in the middle of the engine?

Sounds like a liner for 2,3,4,5 is loose

 

or this..... did you account for all tools and bolts?


can you take out the plugs and turn it by wrench? Or do a compression test (using starter, not the wrench)?

 

Had it towed to a shop and they found that it is most likely a push rod out of place or bent. If so, what usually causes this?

 

If you broke a valve spring it could cause the push rod to not seat on the lifter or bend the push rod. You really won't know until you start breaking it down.