nissan Axxess KA24E Help!

[deltaboy72076]

Hello,great web site.I have a 1990 Nissan Axxess with the KA24E engine.First of all,it has loud valve tapping sounds.I removed the valve and you could hear it while manually turning the engine.It seems to be coming from the 2 intake valves on what I think is the # 1 cylinder.(the 2 intakes closest to the timing chain)It happens when the 2 valves are are all the way up(open).The top of the valves and even the inside of the valve cover in that area looks quite dry like not enough oil is getting to them.If you compress the spring though,oil does come out of the lifter. The vehicle also doesn't run real well.It starts fine but seems to want to die when cold and you put it in gear.It also misses pretty bad on acceleration.Yesterday my wife said it was missing so bad that it was loping really severely.So please give me some ideas! What do you guys think is causing these problems,and are they related? By the way;it has new plugs,wires,pcv valve,and air filter.

Thanks.