So..
Cranked it over with rocker cover off n plugs out, lifters get soaked in oil within 2-3seconds and soon after the head has loads of oil round it.
Compression Tested her to, 138, 140, 140, 142. All 140psi near as makes no difference.
Checked the bores with a scope and nothing obvious... Some droplets in cylinder 1 around the head gasket, but not alot, could be excess fuel?
Maybe mis-fire could be a faulty coilpack and the tapping could be a lazy lifter or cracked rocker? Basically 2 seperate faults?