tapping/strange oil

[turbors89]

Ok well i live in NJ and its been cold lately. When i start up my car in the morning it taps. What causes this? after about a minute or two its gone.It had a new head put on it not to long ago. Also where the spark plugs go into the head there is what looks like little puddles of oil? The car does not burn oil at all but it does leak from the valve cover/turbo line. How could this oil magically get there. If you have the hood open and rev it from the throttle body a little tiny puff of smoke comes out of the one spark plug area. I don't know if its just the oil burning off or what. Any help will be appreciated thanks.

[NAJ]

Sounds like the lifters are not getting oil pressure fast enough or bleeding down overnight.
What kind of oil are you using?
The oil laying in the plug holes in the head sounds like a leaking valve cover.

[turbors89]

Ok well i was just outside i pulled all the plugs and they were all in great shape. Its only the two drivers side plugs that have the oil on them so i just figured valve cover. After i put it back together i started it and let it run for awhile and i was listening to the the engine it sounds like the lifters tap a little. Are they adjustable? If so im going to pull the valve cover soon ajust/inspect them and put a new gasket on.

[NAJ]

No they are not adjustable.
Was the problem present before the head gasket was done?
How long were they out of the car?
How many miles are on the car?
Be sure the rocker arms are not worn.
Was there any sludge buildup in the engine that may restrict oil flow?

[turbors89]

Well a headgasket and new head were put on atleast 5 years ago by the owner before me. I will check for worn out rocker arms. The car has 118000 miles on it but it was taken care of its whole life,no sludge nothing. I bough a a pillar mount and a temp and oil psi gauge to keep an eye on things.