Loud valve clatter w/ a misfire drivin me crazy.

[Tim the 2Lman]

Hey all,

I've got a 2000 model 1.8T that consumed almost all of its intake valves. Engine ruined to say the least. So, i bought a rolled 01 with the same setup as a donor for the engine. Well, transplant is in and it ran just as good as it did in the original car. Until, I drive it a few miles (3-4). I pulled up, killed it, and when I restarted it, I got a terrifically loud valve clatter. Shut it off thinkin I had ruined the engine. To make a long story a little shorter, checked compression (all good). So, after some time rev'd up and driving around the yard, it seem to heal it self. I was advised to replace the cam chain tensioner, which I did. It had stopped clattering before I shut it down and was quiet after I started it up. I drove it a few miles (10 or so) it sounded great until I turned in to the parking lot. Started missing and a loud clatter again. I rev'd it up and it shut up. I drove it for 4 days, just short 4 mile trips and it ran like a top. Then, when I took it on longer trip (15-20), it all starts again (miss with an occassional clatter). Once in awhile, it gets so screwed up that it won't even start. Then after a little it does. It's got me so mad I want to set fire to it. Problem is, i've got to much time and money in it to do that. Any ideas? PLEASE help!

Engine codes: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 all misfire codes. That's all the help the computer is.

Just an update: I pulled the spark plugs and all four of them had bent electrodes. Only one had any gap at all. I don't know how it even started. I replaced them all, hopefull that it would be a different story, but no. It ran for less than a minute and quit. Was able to restart it a few minutes later, it ran for a minute and died again. No restart. sounds like no compression while it cranks. Is this forum dead? I posted this almost a week ago and it still sets at the top of the list. ???