97 Grand Am No start

Well here goes.

A couple weeks ago I'm driving along and the car starts backfiring. Just a couple times.... then all the sudden I hear a tapping noise from the engine compartment. I pull over, pop the hood and listen. It almost sounded like a pushrod hitting the valve pan cover. Tap tap tap tap tap. Definitely from the top end of the motor. Rev it up, it tapped faster. Decided to get it home! On the way home the tap goes away. :)
Wrong.

I come to my next stop and when I accelerate away the car backfires hard twice...then stalls. I coasted to the side of the road and called a tow truck.

So today I finally had a chance to look at things. I assumed that it may be timing chain or a cam problem. I rolled it over and watched the valve train. Everything seems to be moving so I can pretty much rule out broken cam or chain. No crazy grinding noises heard. It will roll over, catch slightly , spit and sputter for a few seconds and die.
And thats where I'm at. No codes thrown. Nothing that jumps right out at you.... Any suggestions?

What engine ? How amny miles?

Sounds like it jumped time,
or your ignition system is malfunctioning.

But the tapping :shakehead

97 Grand am
3100
190000kms

If it did jump timing is it possible thats what first produced the tapping?

Could have a lifter that stuck causing the taping.
But if it went away, you might want to pull it apart and seee.
You can bend push rods and break valves when this happens.

But with those miles , I'd almost say the big timming gear broke some teeth off and jumped time.

I've had a couple 3.1s which this happend too.
Cost me new heads and gaskets.
New gears and chain, And a weekend.